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Hypersonic Weapons Technology by Prof DR Ali Sarosh
Hypersonic Weapons Technology by Prof DR Ali Sarosh
Dr Ali Sarosh
PhD, MS, MSc., BE, CPMP, Snr Memb AIAA
• Source: CRS image based on an image in “Gliding missiles that fly faster than Mach 5 are coming,” The Economist, April 6, 2019,,
https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2019/04/06/gliding-missiles-that-fly-faster-than-mach-5-are-coming
6/24/2021 3
Lecture Notes by Dr Ali Sarosh, IAA (DMAE), Air University Islamabad
THE NEED FOR HYPERSONIC WEAPONS
TECHNOLOGY
• Case for Hypersonic Weapons Technology
– The Congressional Research Service (June 2021 issue) reported:
– “ The Pentagon’s FY2022 budget request for hypersonic-related
research is $3.8billion—up from $3.2 billion in the FY2021 request.
– ……………… growing support for weapons that could attack priority
targets promptly and with improved accuracy without facing defeat by
an adversary’s air or missile defense systems……….
– ……….. officials have also expressed concerns about advances in
hypersonic weapons technologies in Russia and China, ………. “
Lecture Notes by Dr Ali Sarosh, IAA (DMAE), Air University Islamabad 6/24/2021 4
HYPERSONIC WEAPONS TECHNOLOGY IN
WARFARE
• CONCEPT
– PROMPT, ACCURATE & UNDEFEATED
– A ultra high speed, low-detectability, high survivability,
long-range platform capable of delivering conventional
and/or nuclear payloads
Courtesy: Canadian Centre for Strategic Studies (basic figure) modified by author
Lecture Notes by Dr Ali Sarosh, IAA (DMAE), Air University Islamabad 6/24/2021 8
THE HYPERSONIC WEAPONS “CLUB”
India Technology
Leaders in HSW
Iran Advance level
Applied Research
South Korea Russia Foundational
France Research HSW
Israel
HSW developed &
China deployed
Germany
Lecture Notes by Dr Ali Sarosh, IAA (DMAE), Air University Islamabad 6/24/2021 9
HYPERSONIC TECHNOLOGIES OF FUTURE
WARFARE
• In-Service Hypersonic Weapons
An artist’s rendition of the DF-ZF (courtesy An artist’s rendition of Zircon (courtesy IFE Hypersonic Kinzhal missile is borne by An artist’s rendition of the Avangard
Missile Defense Advocacy, MDAA) News Network) a MiG-31K (courtesy Arctic Today) (courtesy janes.ihs.comM 10
Lecture Notes by Dr Ali Sarosh, IAA (DMAE), Air University Islamabad 6/24/2021
HYPERSONIC TECHNOLOGY : NEW WAR
THEATRES
Lecture Notes by Dr Ali Sarosh, IAA (DMAE), Air University Islamabad 6/24/2021 11
HYPERSONIC TECHNOLOGIES OF FUTURE
WARFARE
• Hypersonic Weapons Programs Under Development
Country Program Mounted Mach Targets
USA Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) Submarine ~6 Naval
USA Long Range Hyper Weapon (LRHW) Submarine ~10 Land A2/AD
USA USAF-AGM-183 ARRW Air Launched 6.5~8 Ground
USA DARPA-Tactical Boost Glide (TBG) Air Launched 7+ CTS
USA Hypersonic Airbreathing Weapon (HAWC) Air Launched 5-8
China DF-41-DF-ZF(HGV) Integration Land Based +10 Sea/Land
China Xing Kong-2 (Starry Sky-2) Waverider Air Launched 6 Nuclear
France V-max (Experimental Maneuvering Vehicle) Air Launched +5 Nuclear
Japan HCM-HVGP Land ~8 Acft Carrier
India BrahMos-II Land ~7 Ground
12
Lecture Notes by Dr Ali Sarosh, IAA (DMAE), Air University Islamabad 6/24/2021
HYPERSONIC TECHNOLOGY IMPLICATIONS
IN SOUTH ASIA
• BrahMos II Program
– INDIA-RUSSIA Collaboration
– Mach 7 hypersonic cruise missile.
– Program faces significant delays
– Scheduled to achieve initial operational capability between 2025 and 2028
Lecture Notes by Dr Ali Sarosh, IAA (DMAE), Air University Islamabad 6/24/2021 13
HYPERSONIC TECHNOLOGY IMPLICATIONS
IN SOUTH ASIA
• DETRIMENTAL
• The New Arms Race
• Strategic Stability Issues >>> Unpredictability >>> Unintended
Escalation
• Strain on Fledgling Economies (post CoVID)
• BENEFICIAL
• Hypersonic Technology >>> Low-Cost space access
• Cleaner (possibly greener) propulsion
• Collaborative Research Avenues
Lecture Notes by Dr Ali Sarosh, IAA (DMAE), Air University Islamabad 6/24/2021 14
PREVENTING THE HYPERSONIC ARMS
RACE
• GLOBALLY
• US-Russia : “The New START Treaty”
– 2021 Five Years Extension of START Treaty
– Use Bilateral Consultative Commission (BCC) to redefine New START Limits
>>> HSWs
• US-China:
– China pursued to join New START Treaty (Mistrust !!!)
• SOUTH ASIA
– Nuclear Crisis Group (NCG) Identified South Asia as a Nuclear Flashpoint
– Restraints on Technology Transfer for Indian Hypersonic Weapons Program
6/24/2021 15
Lecture Notes by Dr Ali Sarosh, IAA (DMAE), Air University Islamabad
HYPERSONIC WEAPONS TECHNOLOGY –
NATURE OF WAR
• Nature of Warfare >>> VIOLENT
– Political Dimension >>> Greater Political Leverage
– Human Dimension >>> Compounding of Fear
– Uncertainty >>> Heightened Uncertainty
– Contest of Wills >>> New Arms Race
• Character of Warfare
– Quickly seize the initiative in escalating from rhetoric to kinetic
action
– rapidly inflicting damage using assets that are well-dispersed
and may appear unrelated to each other or to the conflict.
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Lecture Notes by Dr Ali Sarosh, IAA (DMAE), Air University Islamabad 6/24/2021
HYPERSONIC WEAPONS TECHNOLOGY –
NATURE OF WAR
• Two Predominant Characteristics
• #1 Clausewitzian Capability
– reaching a limited culminating point of victory quickly and
decisively
• #2 Sun Tzu Strategy
– A win without fighting - fait accompli for adversary
Lecture Notes by Dr Ali Sarosh, IAA (DMAE), Air University Islamabad 6/24/2021 17
Lecture Notes by Dr Ali Sarosh, IAA (DMAE), Air University Islamabad 6/24/2021 18