US Navy's new hypersonic weapon makes Russia and China afraid

With a speed exceeding 6,000 km/h, this weapon can reach its target within an hour and can strike quickly anywhere in the world.

On May 30, the US Navy officially awarded Lockheed Martin a contract worth more than $1 billion, marking a new phase in the development of the Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) program. This missile is not only an addition to the arsenal but also promises to fundamentally change the way naval operations are conducted.

The CPS is a hypersonic weapon capable of traveling at five times the speed of sound and hitting a target anywhere on the planet in less than an hour. The CPS does not carry a nuclear warhead, making it unique in that it is fast, accurate, and lethal, but without the risk of nuclear escalation.

What's particularly impressive is that CPS will be integrated into some of the US Navy's most advanced warships, including the Zumwalt-class destroyers and Virginia-class submarines.

The futuristic and stealthy Zumwalt will be able to carry up to 12 of these missiles, while the Virginia-class submarine, equipped with a dedicated payload module, can carry up to 28 CPS missiles, providing massive firepower.

Lockheed Martin also describes the CPS as a hypersonic glider. This means it combines a powerful rocket booster with a glider that can change trajectory in flight. As a result, the CPS not only achieves speed but also exceptional maneuverability – something that traditional ballistic missiles cannot provide.

According to official data, the CPS travels at a speed exceeding 6,000 km/h, which puts it in the top class of hypersonic weapons. This speed allows it to reach its target within an hour and can strike quickly anywhere in the world .

In addition, this missile uses a two-stage solid fuel engine from Northrop Grumman with a thrust vectoring control system, enhancing accuracy and maneuverability. Its size is impressive, about 88 cm in diameter and about 12 meters in length.

One of the standout features of the CPS is its kinetic energy warhead. Instead of an explosive warhead, it relies on the energy generated by the hypersonic impact, allowing it to destroy hardened targets with exceptional precision while minimizing damage to surrounding property.

Equally important, the CPS does not use nuclear warheads, a major advantage over earlier prompt global strike concepts that reduces concerns about unintended wars.

According to Steve Lane, vice president of hypersonic weapons programs at Lockheed Martin, the CPS represents “a major step forward in integrating hypersonic capabilities into naval warfare.” He stressed that its combination of long range, short flight time, and high survivability makes it an indispensable tool in modern conflicts.

The missile would allow the US Navy to launch rapid and precise strikes in key areas such as the South China Sea or the Black Sea without resorting to nuclear weapons – significantly reducing the risk of catastrophic conflict.

Furthermore, the CPS allows the US to project power with incredible speed and precision, combining the power of the Zumwalt class with the stealthy strike capabilities of the Virginia. This makes the system flexible and adaptable to a wide range of military situations. There is no doubt that this missile will revolutionize technology in the global military arena.

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