Pentagon successfully tests hypersonic flying bomb

[Warrior_of_Freedom]

Launched by rocket from Hawaii at 1130 GMT, the "Advanced Hypersonic Weapon," or AHW, glided through the upper atmosphere over the Pacific "at hypersonic speed" before hitting its target on the Kwajalein atoll in the Marshall Islands, a Pentagon statement said.

Kwajalein is about 2,500 miles (4,000 kilometers) southwest of Hawaii. The Pentagon did not say what top speeds were reached by the vehicle, which unlike a ballistic missile is maneuverable.

Scientists classify hypersonic speeds as those that exceed Mach 5 -- or five times the speed of sound -- 3,728 miles (6,000 kilometers) an hour.

The test aimed to gather data on "aerodynamics, navigation, guidance and control, and thermal protection technologies," said Lieutenant Colonel Melinda Morgan, a Pentagon spokeswoman.

The US Army's AHW project is part of "Prompt Global Strike" program which seeks to give the US military the means to deliver conventional weapons anywhere in the world within an hour.

On August 11, the Pentagon test flew another hypersonic glider dubbed HTV-2, which is capable of flying 27,000 kilometers per hour, but it was a failure.

The AHW's range is less than that of the HTV-2, the Congressional Research Service said in a report, without providing specifics.

The Pentagon has invested 239.9 million dollars in the Global Strike program this year, including 69 million for the flying bomb tested Thursday, CRS said.

http://www.physorg.com/news/2011-11-pentagon-successfully-hypersonic.html
Great, the modern day fascist state can now kill you anywhere in the world, in an hour.

[ShaneEnochs]

The article says it will be used to deliver conventional weapons, but I wonder what's stopping it from delivering nuclear ones?

[XNavyNuke]

Great, The DOD has developed an ICBM by committee! Payload is reduced and flight time has increased, all in the name of mythical recall-ability. If the president is afraid that s/he might change their mind in sixty minutes, maybe they shouldn't be ordering an attack.

XNN

[HOLLYWOOD]

countermeasures... launch a EMP nuke for both EXO/ENDO coverage. Done

There can be Defensive Nukes,

[pacelli]

Now there is no reason to keep troops in military bases around the world.

[fisharmor]

Well, I consider this a good thing.
There has been no development on ICBMs in decades because of treaty obligations.
The only reason these hypersonic missiles exist is to get around those regulations.
Yes, it is all about nuclear capability. The MIRV systems were created because our ICBMs have an accuracy rated in miles.
That's why they sprout dozens of smaller warheads: so they can blanket an entire area and make sure they get what they were trying to hit.
Sick, right?
It's also why we still maintain nuclear bomber fleets.
What, you say? Airplanes to literally drop bombs? Isn't that, like, tech directly from 1945?
Why yes, yes it is.
We have to maintain those fleets because the accuracy is much greater.

So why is it a good thing?
This means we can completely axe the bomber fleets.
This means we can completely axe the ICBMs.
This means we can completely axe the nuclear strike subs.

And yes, they can put conventional warheads on them, which then means:
We don't need as many carrier groups to be able to project power across the globe.

All of that translates into about 1/3 of our current military budget with the same strike capacity.

But, it also comes with this added bonus. If we slashed our budget because we have this new wonder missile, we'd rely pretty heavily on the wonder missile, right?
Only nobody would be able to tell whether we're launching a hypersonic missile at Assbackwardstan with the intent of blowing up a single bunker, or obliterating the entire country.

I'd bet that would create significant political pressure for us not to use them at all.

[nobody's_hero]

Now there is no reason to keep troops in military bases around the world.

You would think so.

I'm not all that opposed to this sort of technology if it actually serves as a deterrent. The problem is, that with our government's current "defense" policy (do unto others before they do unto you), I doubt this tech will actually be used for defense.

[Athan]

The funny thing though is DARPA is trying to find a way to make flying four wheel vehicles that still require the use of a GMC chasis.
Let that one sink in.

[Acala]

Now there is no reason to keep troops in military bases around the world.

The best (and only) reason still remains: taking money from your pocket and pouring it into the coffers of military contractors.

[oyarde]

I read about this Friday morning , interesting , wonder what it cost?

[Simple]

Now there is no reason to keep troops in military bases around the world.

You're right. Like Ron Paul says, we're always trying to fight yesterday's wars. Lets bring the troops home and modernize our defense.

[brushfire]

I read about this Friday morning , interesting , wonder what it cost?

The more they can take the soldier out of the equation, the less they must depend on political recourse. Take the politics of constituent's children being shot and blown up, and you have more latitude to wage wars. After-all, the US media is not going to cover US negligence or "collateral damage", as that's simply unpatriotic.

When the intended and unintended targets of such weapons complain and condemn, the politicians can just say that they're jealous of our freedoms - "we said/they said".

Hey, and this is not to mention, there's likely a high profit margin due to the convenience of these unmanned/smart "ordnance".

As long as there's an unchecked/secret revenue source, they'll continue to get away with it...