Russia’s fast-diving ballistic missiles give Ukraine’s air defenses only seconds or minutes to respond. Kyiv says the US-made Patriot system is the only one that can stop some of them, but it lacks enough batteries and interceptors.
Taiwan has completed the design of its Ching Tien hypersonic cruise missile, with mass production slated for next year. This two-stage missile, with an estimated range of 1,250km, aims to significantly enhance Taiwan's deterrence capabilities by enabling strikes on strategic targets deep within China.
Castelion, a startup founded by former SpaceX employees, is building a large manufacturing facility in New Mexico for hypersonic missiles. The company aims to apply SpaceX's efficient, high-volume production model to defense contracting, using private capital and firm-fixed-price contracts to speed up development and delivery.
China's CCTV aired footage of the DF-17 hypersonic missile launch, designed to deliver vehicles above Mach 5. Analysts suggest this strengthens Beijing's deterrent posture, potentially impacting regional missile balance and US strategies.
China's military has broadcast footage of a DF-17 missile launch for the first time, showing a live-fire exercise. The missile, first seen in 2019, was featured in a military news program ahead of the PLA Rocket Force's 60th anniversary.
China's Academy of Sciences has launched a new research program focused on low-altitude hypersonic flight technology, potentially leading to new weapons that could challenge the US Navy. The program aims to overcome challenges like extreme heating and electromagnetic disturbances.
Ukraine faces a threat of Russian Zircon hypersonic missile strikes on the night of June 13, according to monitoring resources cited by the "Zerkalo Nedeli" Telegram channel. These missiles are designed for large surface and land targets, launched from ships, submarines, and frigates, boasting hypersonic speeds and a range of up to 1,000 km, making them difficult to intercept.
European companies developing hypersonic missiles face significant technological and strategic hurdles, including a lack of testing infrastructure and concerns over revealing classified information to foreign intelligence agencies. The high cost and bureaucratic red tape further complicate efforts.
Ukraine's President Zelensky called for increased pressure on Russia after a hypersonic missile attack on Kyiv killed at least four and injured over 80. Russia claimed retaliation for Ukrainian strikes on civilian facilities.
Russia launched a massive aerial assault on Kyiv using hundreds of drones and advanced missiles, including the nuclear-capable Oreshnik hypersonic ballistic missile. This strike highlights Moscow's increasing reliance on next-generation weapons amid the ongoing conflict with Ukraine.
Kyiv was struck by a hypersonic ballistic missile, resulting in at least four fatalities. Allies condemned the attack as a "reckless escalation" of the conflict.
Russia launched one of its largest aerial assaults on Kyiv, firing over 700 drones and 50 missiles, including the hypersonic Oreshnik. The attack caused significant damage and casualties, with officials reporting at least two killed and 56 injured.
Russia launched overnight strikes on Ukraine using four missile types, including the hypersonic Oreshnik, in retaliation for Kyiv's attacks. Moscow claimed success targeting military facilities, while Ukraine reported civilian casualties and damage, with President Zelenskyy highlighting the Oreshnik's use.
Videos circulating on Ukrainian media show bright objects descending from the sky, claimed to be Russia's Oreshnik hypersonic missile striking Belaya Tserkov. Moscow has not confirmed the launch, but this follows previous reported uses of the system.
Kyiv faced a major missile and drone attack early May 24, with Russia deploying its "Oreshnik" hypersonic ballistic missile. President Zelensky warned that normalizing such weapons in combat sets a dangerous precedent for other aggressors and urged international pressure on Moscow to prevent further escalation.
Videos circulating on Ukrainian media and Telegram channels show bright objects descending vertically, followed by flashes, with claims of Russia using its Oreshnik hypersonic system. This follows a Ukrainian drone attack on a school dormitory in Lugansk, which killed 21 people.
Ukrainian drones struck the Syzran oil refinery in Russia, over 800km inside the country, causing a fire and killing two people. President Zelenskyy stated this is part of a broader plan targeting Russian oil revenues amid escalating attacks.
The US Central Command has requested deployment of the Army's Dark Eagle hypersonic missile to the Middle East for potential use against Iran, which has repositioned its ballistic missile launchers beyond the range of existing systems. Iran meanwhile claims it is on the verge of deploying a secret weapon that could be a game-changer. A ceasefire has held since April 9, but both sides appear to be using the lull to regroup and rearm, with officials warning future fighting may be more deadly.
The US Central Command is considering deploying the experimental Dark Eagle hypersonic missile to the Middle East to counter Iranian ballistic threats. Simultaneously, Iran claims to have developed a secret, game-changing weapon, heightening regional volatility.
US Central Command has requested approval to deploy the Dark Eagle (LRHW) hypersonic missile to the Middle East for the first time, targeting deep Iranian assets. The weapon can travel at Mach 5 speeds with a 1,700-mile range, costing $15 million per missile. This comes amid ongoing tensions since February 2026, with Iran disrupting Strait of Hormuz traffic and the US imposing a port blockade on Iran.
US Central Command has requested deployment of the Dark Eagle hypersonic missile (LRHW) to the Middle East, citing intelligence that Iran repositioned its ballistic missile launchers beyond the range of the Precision Strike Missile. The $12 billion program, still not fully operational, has faced significant delays. The request comes as US forces exhausted their PrSM inventory during recent conflicts with Iran, and amid controversy over PrSM's alleged role in a February 28 strike on a school in Lamerd that killed at least 21 people.
A Russian military expert has identified hypersonic missiles, drones, and laser/electromagnetic weapons as the most promising sectors of Russian weapons development. The expert noted that Russia possesses advanced weapon systems not yet disclosed to the public, including high-precision hypersonic missiles capable of maneuvering along unpredictable trajectories.
US Central Command has requested deployment of Dark Eagle hypersonic missiles to the Middle East for potential use against Iran, which would mark the first US deployment of hypersonic weapons. The request follows Iran's repositioning of missile launchers beyond the range of the Precision Strike Missile.
