Russia’s hypersonic systems are far more maneuverable and advanced than Chinese: US

[blueblood]

Today, the U.S. has no optimal capability to intercept an advanced hypersonic boost glide vehicle, according to an industry source. Although hypersonic vehicles burn hot and are thus easily visible to the U.S. sensor network, they are maneuverable. There is concern that existing interceptors in the U.S. arsenal lack the divert capabilities required to counter such a threat.

However, a credible threat does not yet exist. The vehicles tested by the Chinese are considered to be basic, but Missile Defense Agency (MDA) Director Vice Adm. James Syring is said to be more concerned about Russia’s hypersonic systems, which are far more maneuverable and advanced. He has already advocated quietly in the Pentagon for funding for a Thaad-ER to address what he sees as a gap in intercept capability should these threats get fielded. So far, his efforts have not paid off.

http://aviationweek.com/defense/thaad-er-search-mission

 

[Srinivas_K]

Chinese weapons are some what overrated, some are downgraded clones !

 

[sorcerer]

He has already advocated quietly in the Pentagon for funding for a Thaad-ER

Key word detected .

Scare sells.."Russia" sells more than "China" in USA.

 

[LETHALFORCE]

How is an uninterceptable hypersonic weapon basic? What will happen when nuclear warheads are mated to these basic weapons?(probably in development?)

 

[Yumdoot]

Anybody trying to intercept manuverable hypersonic vehicles without basing in space, is an idiot.

The laws of nature militate against it at the interception stage. How will you intercept when your interceptor has to move against thicker air and gravity while kinematically the intruder has both working in its favour. Detection would be easy but you cannot really do much with that info.

And even with space basing it is going to be one damn difficult thing to achieve - at the detection stage. Your detection is too slow or too late or both, for your interception to work.

Third possibility is going in for DEW based interception. I hope the americans pursue it for the sake of the free world

 

[blueblood]

Americans are going three prong defence against the hypersonic weapons;

• Improvements over the existing missile defence system like THAAD ER, PAAC4 and SM3. It also includes GMD.
• Railguns, which should enable the defender to fire multiple high speed interceptors at long range thus increasing the Pk.
• DEW, which might also include the boost phase kill of the launch vehicle.