Hypersonic weapon

A hypersonic weapon is a weapon type capable of sustained, significant maneuvers during atmospheric flight at speeds above Mach 5, or five times the speed of sound. The two main categories are hypersonic glide vehicles, also called boost-glide weapons, and hypersonic cruise missiles, also called airbreathing weapons. At extremely high speeds, ionized air in the shock wave can make control and communication difficult.

Defined speed

Above Mach 5

Main categories

Hypersonic glide vehicles and hypersonic cruise missiles

High-speed challenge

Control and communication can be difficult