THE SUN
The US has unveiled plans for its own ‘carrier killer’ hypersonic missile to rival those of China and Russia.
Both of America’s rivals have hypersonic missiles in service, with speeds of up to 12 times the speed of sound, but the Pentagon’s ambitions signal the arms race has been joined.
The US Navy says it wants the Hypersonic Air-Launched Offensive Anti-Surface Warfare missile – or HALO – in service no later than 2028.
The anti-ship missile will allow the US to target China’s new aircraft carrier fleet.
The move is in response to Beijing’s huge arsenal of hypersonic weapons – dubbed “carrier killers” – which are aimed at neutralising the power of the US Navy and attacking American facilities in the Pacific.
China’s newest missile in service, the DF-17, became fully operational at the beginning of January.
According to the US military, it is capable of “extreme manoeuvres” and “evasive actions”.
Experts have warned China could strike US bases from California to Japan with “invincible” hypersonic missiles.
The HALO will also allow the US to match Russia’s Kinzhal – or Dagger – hypersonic missile which the Kremlin has previously boasted is “unstoppable”.
The weapons have already been used in the Ukraine war, with video showing the moment one hit an ammunition dump.
