Trump: ‘Some bad guy’ gave Russia US hypersonic missile design

Recently, the 47th President Donald Trump has reiterated his claims that Russia stole the designs for hypersonic missiles from the United States during the Obama administration. This assertion resurfaced in interviews and discussions around January 23-24, 2025.

Trump has openly accused Russia of obtaining hypersonic missile designs from the U.S., alleging that this happened due to an insider leak during the Obama presidency. He mentioned this in an interview with Fox News, suggesting that “some bad person” gave the designs to Russia.

Trump also claimed that the U.S. is now working on developing “super hypersonic missiles” which he described as being “even a step better” than what Russia currently has.

Critics and some military experts have questioned the validity of Trump’s statements. There have been posts on X [formerly known as Twitter] where users and experts debate the plausibility of these claims, with some highlighting that Russia began deploying hypersonic missiles like the Avangard as early as 2017, suggesting a timeline that might not align with Trump’s narrative of theft.

While Trump boasts about upcoming U.S. hypersonic technology, it’s clear that the U.S. has been working to catch up with Russia and China in this domain, with significant investments in research and development.

However, there’s no indication that the U.S. has operational hypersonic missiles matching those already deployed by Russia. The U.S. military has been testing prototypes, aiming to field such weapons in the near future.

These claims have stirred discussions on national security, espionage, and the U.S.’s competitive edge in military technology. Critics argue that such statements might serve political purposes or reflect Trump’s strategy to emphasize perceived weaknesses in previous administrations’ security measures.

Historically, the Kremlin has dismissed such accusations, asserting that Russia has developed its own hypersonic technology independently. In response to previous similar claims by Trump, Russian officials have pointed out their own advancements in the field, like the Zircon missile systems.

Russia has made significant strides in hypersonic weaponry, which has captured global attention due to its advanced capabilities and strategic implications. Systems like Avangard, Kinzhal, and Tsirkon showcase different aspects of these technologies.

Avangard is a hypersonic glide vehicle capable of flying at speeds up to Mach 20 and has been considered operational since 2019. It can maneuver sharply during flight, making it difficult to intercept.

Kinzhal is an air-launched ballistic missile that can be fired from MiG-31K fighters, reaching speeds of up to Mach 10. It has already been used in combat conditions in Ukraine in 2022, demonstrating its combat readiness.

Tsirkon is a hypersonic anti-ship missile expected to achieve speeds between Mach 8 and Mach 9. Successful tests in 2020 and 2021 suggest it will enter service around 2025-2026.

These systems have significant strategic implications, including the ability to evade current missile defense systems due to their speed and maneuverability. They play a crucial role in Russia’s strategic deterrence, particularly against countries with advanced missile defense systems like the U.S.

Their development also fuels a global race in hypersonic technologies, prompting other nations like China and the U.S. to accelerate their own programs.

These weapons also impact international relations, bringing attention back to arms limitation negotiations. There are skeptics regarding the full effectiveness of these systems outside controlled test environments, as well as questions about the ethical and security implications of their deployment. The development and costs of these technologies are enormous, presenting both financial and technical challenges.

The United States is pushing hard to match the hypersonic capabilities developed by Russia and China, focusing on a range of programs that aim to bring these cutting-edge weapons into its military arsenal.

The Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon, or “Dark Eagle,” is designed for the U.S. Army, employing a boost-glide system to deliver devastating strikes at intermediate ranges. After successful tests, the Army is gearing up for one more critical test by the end of 2024 to see if it can deploy this system to its first unit in 2025.

The Navy isn’t far behind with its Conventional Prompt Strike [CPS], a naval adaptation of the Army’s weapon, meant for deployment from ships and submarines. The CPS shares the same glide body but is tailored for the maritime battlefield, with plans to integrate it into Zumwalt-class destroyers by 2025 and Virginia-class submarines by 2028.

In the air, the Air Force had been working on the Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon [ARRW], intended for bomber launches. Although it saw some success, inconsistent test results led to its cancellation in favor of the Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile [HACM].

This new focus is on an air-breathing, scramjet-powered missile, with deployment on F-15 jets targeted for 2027. This program not only aims at enhancing U.S. capabilities but also involves international cooperation, as seen with joint testing with Australia.

Beyond these, other projects like Operational Fires [OpFires] and the Hypersonic Air-Breathing Weapon Concept [HAWC] are pushing the boundaries. OpFires looks at ground launches, while HAWC and its successor, MoHAWC, focus on air-launched cruise missiles. Lockheed Martin’s Mako is another contender, designed for versatility across various platforms, including stealth aircraft.

Developing hypersonic technology isn’t without its challenges; the extreme conditions these missiles endure demand breakthroughs in materials science, precision guidance, and cost management.

Moreover, the U.S. isn’t just developing offensive capabilities; it’s also working on defenses like the Glide Breaker and Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor to counter these high-speed threats.

These endeavors underscore a significant strategic push to maintain military superiority and deterrence in an era where speed and unpredictability could redefine warfare.

However, the timeline for these systems to become fully operational remains a complex dance of technological achievement, strategic necessity, and budgetary considerations.

Bulgarian Military.