Russian Defense Industry Working On Hypersonic Missile

Russia could test its first hypersonic missile as early as 2020 as part of a government program to develop the new technology, a Russian defense industry official said.

The Tactical Missiles Corporation, which produces many of Russia's guided missile systems for the Defense Ministry, said that they are working with dozens of companies to implement a development program for a hypersonic missile, the company's CEO, Boris Obnosov, said on Friday at the KADEX-2014 arms exhibition in Astana, Kazakhstan.

Hypersonic missiles are the next step in missile technology. Traveling at five times the speed of sound, a they are capable of delivering a warhead to its target faster than any other type of missile — earning them the moniker "global prompt strike" weapons among defense officials.

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