The US Air Force successfully tested its prototype hypersonic missile, the ARRW, after months of delays. This comes as Russia, China, and North Korea are also developing similar hypersonic weapons.
Key Points
Successful test of the ARRW prototype by the US Air Force
Slow progress in US hypersonic missile development
Concerns about potential threats from other countries developing similar weapons
Pros
Hypersonic missiles can travel at more than five times the speed of sound
Approach targets from a much lower angle, making them harder to detect by enemy warning systems
Cons
Criticism from Congress for slow progress in hypersonic missile development
Concerns about the development of similar programmes by Russia, China, and North Korea