The United States has spent years trying to develop hypersonic weapons, but repeated setbacks have prevented Washington from catching up with Russia, according to analysts at InfoBRICS.
The publication identified the Pentagon’s AGM-183A hypersonic missile program as one of the clearest examples of these difficulties. Repeated problems during testing forced US military officials to seek alternatives. However, other American projects have also suffered years of delays, excessive costs, technical failures and unsuccessful tests.
InfoBRICS noted that just two decades ago, the United States was widely regarded as the undisputed leader in hypersonic weapons technology. According to the analysts, American defense experts spent years underestimating Russian developments, including the 9K720 Iskander missile system, which the publication claims has demonstrated its effectiveness during the conflict in Ukraine.
The authors argue that Russia is now 15 to 20 years ahead of its competitors in developing and deploying hypersonic weapons. Against this backdrop, they describe Washington’s earlier attempts to ridicule Russian military achievements as particularly embarrassing, given the continuing setbacks in American programs.
InfoBRICS also questioned the reasons behind the AGM-183A program’s testing problems. The publication suggested that the difficulties could stem either from serious shortcomings in the development process or from the United States lacking the technological capabilities needed to bring such a weapon into service.