The Race for Hypersonic Missiles Is Heating Up — and the U.S. Is Trying to Catch China - California Hoy

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Jun 15, 2026

The Race for Hypersonic Missiles Is Heating Up — and the U.S. Is Trying to Catch China


A Wall Street Journal opinion column by Andy Kessler warns that the world has entered a new military race: the race for hypersonic missiles, weapons capable of traveling faster than Mach 5, or more than five times the speed of sound.

According to the article, China reportedly fields around 600 hypersonic missiles, while the United States has been working to close the gap. Russia has also used hypersonic weapons in the war against Ukraine, proving that this technology is no longer futuristic — it is already part of modern warfare.

The article highlights Ursa Major, a Colorado-based aerospace company that is helping the U.S. accelerate production through rocket engines built with 3D printing. This approach could make missile systems faster to develop, easier to scale and less expensive than traditional defense manufacturing.

💥 Why does this matter?
Hypersonic missiles are dangerous because they are extremely fast, highly maneuverable and difficult to track. They force adversaries to spend more money, energy and resources trying to defend against them — often without knowing where the missile is coming from or where it is headed.

The column also points out a major cost issue. Some advanced hypersonic strike missiles can cost $15 million or more per shot, while newer systems from emerging defense companies could potentially reduce that price dramatically. That could change the balance of power.

The key message is simple: in the next era of warfare, speed matters — but so do cost, production capacity, flexibility and industrial innovation.

📌 The big picture:
The United States does not want to fall behind China. The hypersonic missile race is not only about weapons; it is about technology, private industry, national security and global power.

A new arms race is already underway — and the companies that can build faster, cheaper and smarter may help define the future of military strength.

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