The US just tested a hypersonic weapon Russia and China can't match

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-- Break --
Last Sunday, the US Air Force conducted a test launch of the AGM-183A Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon, or ARRW, over the Pacific. This missile was once slated to become America’s first in-service hypersonic weapon, but after a series of testing failures, now has an uncertain future.
Let’s talk about what this weapon is, what it’s capable of, and why it could provide the United States with a unique and utterly unmatched strike capability if it does make its way to service.
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Citations:
www.reuters.com/world/us/us-a...
www.dote.osd.mil/Portals/97/p...
www.sandboxx.us/news/why-call...
www.sandboxx.us/news/chinese-...
www.af.mil/News/Article-Displ...
www.spoc.spaceforce.mil/News/...
tass.ru/armiya-i-opk/7436431
missilethreat.csis.org/missil...
tass.com/defense/1092885
missiledefenseadvocacy.org/mi...
rusi.org/explore-our-research...
breakingdefense.com/2024/03/a...
www.defensenews.com/air/2024/...
www.iiss.org/online-analysis/...
www.armscontrol.org/act/2023-...
www.reuters.com/world/europe/...
apnews.com/article/russia-ukr...
www.nytimes.com/2019/06/19/ma...
static.rusi.org/russian_and_c...
tass.ru/armiya-i-opk/15240179
tass.ru/armiya-i-opk/4746647
www.nextbigfuture.com/2017/11...

[@SandboxxApp]

Go to ground.news/Sandboxx to get a no nonsense view on military developments around the world. Subscribe through my link for 40% off unlimited access to their Vantage Plan, which is what I use.

[@amitparmar2593]

@SandboxxApp - Hey Alex, the discount is only showing 30% - has the 40% offer expired?

[@rossmelnyk1900]

As far as I know Russian Federation was the first to launch air launched hypersonic system..

[@nschlaak]

Sometimes the reason you're late to show up is because you're bringing a better present to the party.

[@pallyzplayzone4282]

A real present…everyone else’s is fake lol

[@anthonykaiser974]

​@@vlhc4642 cope harder, Trollsky.

[@MiniDevilDF]

@@vlhc4642 lol spoken by someone who has no clue. the ones currently being fielded are either fake and aren't really hypersonics, or are basically ICBM-only.

[@reclusiarchgrimaldus1269]

🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥

[@rodneyjackson7147]

bro look up the x 15 it was a manned plane from the 60s that was faster than the khinzhal which is really just a 30 year old air launched icbm... the v2 rocket from ww2 was a hypersonic missile do you think if the nazis from 1945 showed up today and started threating us with v2 rockets would you be on here fan boying over them? probably@@vlhc4642

[@RCAvhstape]

And once again in the thick of it is the good old B-52.

[@herbertparsons6998]

Grandpa buff lives forever.

[@HuntingTarg]

B-52 B-1B B-2 F-15 All initially designed & developed in the 20th Century. WOOGA WOOGA WOOGA!! 👹

[@minhvisual4265]

If it’s ain’t broken don’t fix it

[@markpfeifer1402]

Still looks bad ass.

[@jamesdoesitmatter]

Very stable known drop platform with as needed on demand sensors and comms.

[@ADAMSMASHRR]

US Air Force: We canceled the ARRW😔 Also US Air Force: We successfully tested the ARRW

[@TonyChan-eh3nz]

We didn't cancel anything. We just stopped giving money. Lockmart decided to continue using their own funding

[@momwithaplan1287]

I call it. “Keeping them on their toes”! Ruzzia and Chyna lie about what their said weapons can do. While we USA deny, downgrade, stop talking about, such said, -- weapons. Then BOOM, here they are. HELLLLO Boys, wanna join the party?! Ruzzia & Chyna: Pikachu face! 😂☠️

[@vlhc4642]

USAF: we won't comment on if it succeeded, but we did gain value insight into future programs In other words, it failed, lol

[@pegasusted2504]

@@vlhc4642 Actually if memory serves the "weapon" itself functioned perfectly in the original test. The problems arose from the powered part and like the detachment system on the carrying plane.

[@vlhc4642]

@@pegasusted2504 Dude you need to be able to release it to test it. And no there were no instances where any test of the HGV was successful, the only "succeeds" was the one time the solid rocket booster worked.

[@Justsomeguyyuyu]

Russia says it has a thing. America panics and throws one standard Luxembourg at making one of their own. Turns out the Russian one never existed. The American one works great. Tale as old as time.

[@liquidpatriot4480]

Russia: Let's pretend we built a thing. America: Actually builds the thing but better. Russia: Oh shi#☠️

[@glenw3814]

Yup 😂

[@SSPENGUIN1]

Same thing we did to ussr to make them spend money they didn't have and they collapsed. China and Russia are doing same to us. Keep us spending money to match capabilites they don't have.

[@DataGeek903]

Then China and Russia copy blueprints for it and manufacture one for 1/10th the cost

[@johndoh5182]

@@DataGeek903 And 1/10th the reliability because they don't understand the thing that the stole the IP of and why each component has the specs it does. China can't manufacture to the specs Japan can. I'm not too worried about them stealing IP. By the time they actually field one that works the US will be way past them. Then add in that both govts. are trending to bankruptcy, and they have to buy raw materials from outside of China with currencies that will be junk.

[@richardhyman2944]

Thank you for correctly defining hypersonic

[@rjpajaron]

Alex was defining "Hypersonics" for eternity now.

[@tomgoff7887]

Is that a universally accepted classification or is it just US terminology?

[@paulwood6729]

Above mach 5 isn't the correct definition, it's a convenient generalisation.

[@user-co8uy5rb2s]

7,000 mph.

[@user-co8uy5rb2s]

@Munga696 you know, I want to correct myself because I'm not sure a missile can do 7,000 without thermal issues. I guess maybe at 25 miles high?

[@larrybuzbee7344]

Its always fun to watch a man who loves his work dive gleefully into his 'job'.😂 Reminds me of being a ski instructor in NE Italy.

[@Trule2456]

this dudes way too happy about weapons of mass destruction being produced

[@user-yw4rx6kb3r]

It's almost looks like a REAL smile. Lol

[@larrybuzbee7344]

@@Trule2456 If you were listening you would have noted that he repeatedly called out the fact that Arrow NON-NUCLEAR, thus not a weapon of mass destruction, with a few hundred kilos of HE at most.

[@ronjon7942]

@@larrybuzbee7344Don’t bother. This jackwagon thinks he has the high ground. We’re all hawks.

[@larrybuzbee7344]

@@ronjon7942 While being a ski instructor I was also telecommunications operator for a tactical nuclear weapons battalion. So I have some background on the subject of deterrence and WMD as well as the fun parts of being a soldier. That little backhand cost me nothing, and the tankies need a few here and there. I'm happy to oblige.

[@AstonSubstantive]

It's crazy how solid the F15 is.. and others of that generation... just fantastic tools of force.

[@paulbarclay4114]

The US military peaked right around 1985-1990 its been in steady decline since

[@jmaldo68]

Primary mission is to ensure everyone fits in and can wear the shoes of their choice, ah, and also use the boy/girl bathroom they feel on that minute/second!@@paulbarclay4114

[@Booz2020]

🇺🇸💪🦾

[@saxonsoldier67]

In numbers, sure. Not in capability. Today's weapons and ISTAR (intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance) make the US military machine much more effective. @@paulbarclay4114

[@jackroyaltea5034]

F-15 is hands down the best fighter jet ever made.

[@neilsilke6648]

Everything's faster with air delivery.

[@hanrockabrand95]

The other advantage of air delivery is that you can beef up the stated range of the missile by including the range of the aircraft. Just ask the Kinzhal

[@almoondiq]

*Santa can now deliver hypersonic bombs- I MEAN PRESENTS at the speed of Mach 25 straight from his slay*

[@Pax.Alotin]

@@almoondiq Mach 25 --- You're talking BS. It would be vaporized at that speed. That's the re-entry speed of spacecraft & they need a heavy heat-shield to stop from melting.

[@user-lj3uu2ri3x]

@@Pax.AlotinDude, it’s Santa, he uses magical force fields to protect the pressies, no need for bulky ceramic heat shielding.

[@wolfgangkranek376]

Even Russian nukes.

[@DunedinMultimedia2]

7:12 dude that's my truck

[@hanrockabrand95]

Does your insurance cover missile tests?

[@charlesdorval394]

That insurance call will be interesting... :P

[@OrdainedPrepper]

Nope, that WAS your truck 😂

[@chrislong3938]

When I was seeing those, I was thinking that they were destroying vehicles way nicer than my '91 Cherokee!!!

[@flagmichael]

@@chrislong3938 Ouch! I've had vehicles like that.

[@RamBam3000]

I see Alex isn't just the master of balanced aviation reporting, he's also mastered time travel. Kudos.

[@jakel9030]

Bro, literally everyone should watch your show. It’s easily the best military/technology reporting I’ve ever seen. I mean Simon is great and all, but your stuff cuts right into the root and the source. I’m always sharing your videos with a good ole “I told ya so”

[@willwozniak2826]

OUTSTANDING report Alex...Was waiting to see your update.. i still see Russian bots talking smack about the ARRW...Now the US can test out the SM 6 BLOCK IB against an actual Hypersonic Glide Body target.....OUTSTANDING..👉🏻

[@pedrohpires6608]

If its like the work of de patriots ? the dam in zaphorizia have or aswer no????? hum the video of the x101 lanching the decoys its very (4stars) great.

[@nfuryboss]

That will so cool!

[@willwozniak2826]

@@pedrohpires6608 15 million per missile. ARRW....tough choice Uncle Sam has to make if they want a few to hold them over.. of course that was during all the failed tests, not sure what the price would be now for say a 100 of them instead of the 300 back in 2020. HACM expected to enter the picture in 2027, that might be too late.

[@aachoocrony5754]

They should start publishing the results of the sm 6 versus current cruise missiles. It could be fraudulent.

[@williamzk9083]

@@willwozniak2826Space-X would never have succeed had it not accepted a proportion of failures as part of its development cycle. That's why its called testing. It's dumb to have the program riding on getting it right the first time.

[@barryelverson9486]

My Friday is complete! A new AirPower!

[@terryward1422]

Thanks for clearing up a number of misconceptions. Your information was presented clearly and concisely. Many thanks...

[@Blackhawks87]

Very Knowledgeable, concise, and no fluff. Thanks for all the time and work you put into these videos for us.

[@BooleanDisorder]

"The notably un-stealthy B-52" xD The cloud of freedom.

[@ponz-]

Great video Alex. You were ahead of the curve on this one!

[@IsraelMilitaryChannel]

Modern Hypersonic Missile: 1. Hypersonic Glide Vehicle (HGV): Hypersonic boost glide systems normally consist of a ballistic rocket booster and a hypersonic glide vehicle. The glide vehicle separates from their rocket boosters some time after the launch and then it glides and maneuver at high speeds to the target. (Typically slower than ballistic missiles when gliding because of the atmospheric conditions and maneuvers). Examples: ARRW (Air launched version), DF-ZF (Land based version). 2. Hypersonic Cruise Missile (HCM). HCMs are cruise missiles that usually use an air-breathing scramjet engine. (Typically slower than ballistic missiles because of the atmospheric conditions and maneuvers). Examples: Zircon. (Submarine launched version). Traditional ballistic missile: 3. Ballistic missiles have hypersonic speed but their trajectory is predictable and not able to maneuver. However They fly faster and could be equipped with decoys. When people talk about hypersonic missiles today, they don't mean the traditional ballistic missiles. Example: Minuteman III (Land based version), Jericho 3 (Land based version), GAM-87 Skybolt (Air launched version), Kinzhal (Air launched version).

[@erererx3]

And everybody forgets it isn't precision weapon as it's blinded by plasma fireball they are traveling in...

[@ED-es2qv]

​@@erererx3until it's not. There are solutions to problems that have not been found yet. Can you communicate through this fireball, thus have a spotter of some kind? Have they improved inertial navigating?

[@Mercer1012]

ARRW is an ALBM just like the Kinzhal. It's not impressive.

[@jerrybarrax5618]

And with that ends another informative, well-researched volley of up-to-date understanding of an important and complex topic. Great job, Alex! Those military reporting accolades are richly deserved.

[@TomatoFettuccini]

Question for you, Alex: Just how many plaid flannel button-up shirts do you own? Also one thing is for sure: Passenger vehicles around the world will definitely tremble in their tires after watching this video. And we now know where all the 90s and early 2000s vehicles went: to military target ranges.

[@richvasquez8534]

Brawny man Bing Bong

[@MrBabylon]

I was starting to think the USAF has something against SUVs and pickup trucks, could they not throw a Volvo estate into the mix every now and then.

[@therocinante3443]

All

[@THE-X-Force]

*_I'M ALEX HOLLINGS!_*

[@StruggleGaming]

AND THIS, IS AIRPOWER!🛫✈️🛩🚀💥🚁🛬

[@bradleymacdonald6036]

No I'm Alex Hollings

[@TonyStark-uu9us]

"Mr.Froman, this is Sergeant Peterson, Chicago Police ..."

[@THE-X-Force]

@@TonyStark-uu9us *_YOU'RE ALEX HOLLINGS!_*

[@smugglednews7453]

Greetings from Peru ALEX!

[@CarbonatedGravy]

This was really high quality, even moreso than usual I think video quality and the missile footage and proper explanations of this unjustly muddied issue were really valuable to understanding it 👍🏼 great job man

[@edevincenzo]

I recently came across your channel. Thank you for this in depth report. I appreciate accuracy in reporting and it is very hard to find today. I look for to viewing many of your past and future reports. Keep up the good work.

[@rayoctaviano6801]

Thanks for providing context to the headlines! I was waiting for this video!

[@Tigerblade2002]

Semper Fi, Brother. You have an excellent informative and educational channel here!

[@bm1943]

Great vid! I've been wondering about everything you touched on....thank you covering this.

[@weldonyoung8857]

Great Summary of a subject I knew little about. Keep up the good work

[@texasranger24]

The US Army just chose General Dynamics and Rheinmetall as finalists for the 4000 Bradley replacement IFVs. Could you do a Firepower series video about this program, the two finalists and the other three that dropped out. Or more generally the current state of IFVs (Bradley, CV90, Puma, Lynx) and their most likely future. Maybe even including anti air IFVs like some CV90 variants and SkyRanger.

[@2goober4u]

Bro is desperate 💀

[@The_ZeroLine]

That’s not his area. He rarely does non-air power stories. There are good sources that talk about those platforms.

[@The_ZeroLine]

BTW, that happened nearly a year ago. So, this didn’t “just” happen. This is extremely old news.

[@clydedeloach9066]

Thanks for your detailed, comprehensive coverage, Alex !

[@iansmith4244]

Thank you Alex, you're my go to for all breaking military news as you're always on the mark.

[@carlinchin21]

Thanks for drilling down into the details and clearing up the "noise" surrounding this topic. Keep up the good work!

[@willpugh8865]

It’s truly amazing how insanely capable the US military and her technology is.

[@karloyu3484]

👍

[@thomasblankinship98]

DARPA has created unimaginable weapons that aren't on any budget list .

[@Pax.Alotin]

😆😅🤣😂 Don't get too exited Gomer Pyle 😅🤣😂

[@kirkhunter146]

her ? yep you said it

[@vlhc4642]

So insane it never worked and just got cancelled, lol

[@chrislong3938]

That sled at the beginning of this video still gives me goosebumps!!! Talk about gaining a sense of speed!!!

[@ryanroper628]

Just wanted to say been listening for a year by far one of your best pieces thank you

[@ChasWG]

Thanks for yet another great bit of reporting Alex! Simply the best source of this kind of coverage!

[@Nathan-vt1jz]

I love your enthusiasm for the topic!

[@user-hn8lm8th8k]

Alex, Thank you, again, for another incredibly rational presentation of something quick to cause hysteria without people like you shining the light of reality on the issue. And, speaking of thanks, thank you for your years of service and patriotism. A happy subscriber who prays for peace but realizes we must be prepared for enemies who won't take "No" for an answer.

[@SandboxxApp]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@jimmygwayumba42]

Just amazing in-depth look in to some these technical marvel, thanks so much Sir Alex keep up the brilliant work, i never miss a single video of yours

[@jimpurcell]

Thanks for the update.

[@ronlagasse1]

I love these vids. Keep it up Alex!

[@ehudgavron9086]

Man I love it when you make my weekend. Like this one. Best wishes to you!! E P.S. Go, Arizona Wildcats!

[@chaosfenix]

You talk about how important it is for these systems to talk to each other. I would love to see a dedicated video on the systems that make that happen. IBCS I know is one of the newer ones that the army is developing with Northrop Grumman but I know the other branches are integrating into it and have had their own systems but honestly it is one of the most under- appreciated components in the military. Like if we could get a deep dive in to TOC operations and how they have evolved from battlefield runners to things like drummers and flags for relaying information all the way to today it would be pretty awesome. Love your videos.

[@robhaythorne4464]

Excellent coverage. Thanks, Alex.

[@jonathansachs1979]

great report. You deserve the accolades. thanks muchly.

[@user-lj3uu2ri3x]

I would have been watching 7 years ago if I had found you. Love your work, keep it up.

[@alexanderorourke123]

Just found this channel it's amazing I love knowing what the Americans have as weapons ad I'm from Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 in the United Kingdom so we're are with Americans 100 precent ❤❤❤

[@mona.supremacy]

Thanks for your work, Alex! Great report

[@dougwallis5078]

You nailed it, my friend. Great job

[@luv2build345]

Thanks, Alex. Great work, as always.

[@Stephen-mw8ze]

As always, thank you for your comprehensive yet understandable presentation of the information surrounding these weapon platforms.

[@KamasKirian716]

great information, and a nice explanation of the differences. Thanks

[@patricklynch1338]

Alex, once again thanks for the excellent content. There are two things I have not heard about for Hypersonic vehicles: Targetting and payload. Given the ionization around a HV they can't use optics, radar, or infared, that seems to limit them to inertial guidance which won't hit a moving target. Or possibly a radio contact coming in on an antanae trailing in the ionization shadow with something else providing the targeting. As for the payload, the image of the ARRW missile the vehicle looked quite small.

[@bradcolby1]

I see Alex uploads,I click.I’m a simple man

[@neo2190]

☕️ Simple man 🧍‍♂️

[@Addictedtocollecting01]

That orange logo gets me every time..

[@dougwallis5078]

So true!!

[@piotrd.4850]

Controversial opinion: USA doesn't need to outspeed or outrange enemy missiles. It need faqload of ATACMS / PrSMs under F-15s, GMLRS-ER under F-16s/F-18s by the truckload. Rapid Dragons. Addressing maintenance backlog in the fleet.

[@HuntingTarg]

I actually agree with you; both China and Russia are adopting a strategy of law-of-averages-by-brute-force-numbers hits. Iron dome can fire dozens of interceptors at an inciming barrage, yet sometimes there are so many inbounds that a few hits are scored anyways. We need to counter their numbers with more numbers. And something somewhat better than THAAD which can destroy inbounds before or right after they cross the Karman line.

[@user-ww5sj3ny2y]

Yes more dakka

[@user-ww5sj3ny2y]

@@HuntingTargfor the same reason you didint know about the SR-71, or F111 untill right before they retired them… And the fact the missile was no longer funded… yet somehow continues development? Black budget And THAAD is a very old and outdated system. In the 2000s THAAD was outdated and replaced. We are replacing that system now…

[@user-ww5sj3ny2y]

The only issue is cost. Missiles are expensive!

[@choctaw2sticks193]

far freaking out . . . Alex, you are something else.

[@wbball15]

Great work, Alex. Now LONG is gonna be nervous again.

[@lou1958]

Consistently well done and extremely informative. You have me hooked on this channel for that esoteric fix I otherwise didn't even know I needed.

[@texasranger24]

A video about the X65 and active flow control would be cool.

[@HuntingTarg]

Talking too much about active flow control could give other militaries ideas (who can't you criticize on KZbin?...). However I think that the 'comrades' of the RDF don't particularly need them.

[@drewlarson65]

dialing in the intro well, nice! keep going!

[@andyanderson9165]

Nice job! Excited to hear if they go forward with ARRW...

[@Javi_SD]

USA 🇺🇸 may not always be the first, mainly because we are not about releasing “unfinished” products; but when we do, make no mistake, ours are the BEST !! 🔥🔥🔥

[@HuntingTarg]

That's kindof how the Space Race went down.

[@jetli80]

That’s not always true, we have released unfinished products and will in the future too. Sometimes it’s more economical to release something by than nothing.

[@moodogco]

Not true at all as simply not always the best or first, plus your comparing apples & pears as there completely different weapon systems designed to do different jobs 🤷‍♂️

[@Javi_SD]

@@jetli80 are we talking about military weapons? If not, carry on, I’m not interested…

[@LONGDOG-85]

All 3 usa new hypersonic programs are complete failures! That's why stopped reporting on them, russias has 3 types that are fully operational. China's are so far advanced they literally got America running scared look up how freaked they was after China sent a hypersonic glide bomber around the world and we don't know they physics in how they delivered there payload. Plus there mach 27 testing facility and infra-red sensor that sees through plasmas that forms during hypersonic flight.

[@Firechief100]

Excellent reporting.

[@nathanfisher1826]

Great as always! Thank Alex 😊

[@timothyunderwood7880]

Good, crisp writing. It's great that you make the distinctions and articulate them so well. Nuance is necessary but can be confusing. Damn, this weapon could make some incredible kills in a battle. I have an idea for another show: With these complicated kill chains needed for our modern weaponry in air, land, and sea combat, does the US military have contingency plans if the grid goes down during battle? Like a quick backup plan, go with a simpler method of communication and weapon delivery system, which every operator is accustomed to switching to? Or have they not considered this? I'm sure they must have.

[@bighulkingwar_machine1123]

😂Weak-Sauce...You Just Got Cooler Than Ever!😎

[@trevor3013]

That's very old slang

[@gail_blue]

Hypersonic missiles could maneuver simply by shifting their center of mass. You wouldn't need any control surfaces or thrust at all. If they had, for example, a lead ball in the middle of the craft and they want it to tilt down, they'd simple need to move it forward, and if they want to tilt it up, they could just move it backward. It's like when they need to balance out the weight on an airliner.

[@Bomkz]

Sorry, I know this is not a feeling i should have for a weapon that could potentially pulverize anything within its reach, but just the mental image of a ball rolling around inside one of these feels like it's so silly.

[@nfuryboss]

Shifting the missile at Mach 5+ would imply expending energy, shortening the range, and heating up the missile more. I assume that there must be some G and curvature radius that they are constrained to.

[@Bomkz]

@@nfuryboss that would be true, but it would probably be less drag than using conventional control surfaces overall.

[@z_actual]

correct, just realise that the shape of the missile is an aerodynamic profile in itself, but yes weight shift works. Exisitng Russian platforms use fin guided and thrust vectoring, you could suggest TV was an analogy of weight shift.

[@HuntingTarg]

​@@z_actualI saw a comment under a short on hypersonics in Russian; it was a short sentence about being able to control plasma. While the rolling ball - or a gyroscope system - could work practically well, being able to magnetically affect the plasma sheath around the projectile could not only work, but solve a number of problems at once.

[@brians2711]

Awesome and very informative information! Thanks for the much-needed update!! You gained a subscriber!!

[@EasyEd1955]

Thanks Alex, another wonderful show in the books for future reference!

[@filipmatek]

Anything 1 man can build 1 man can counter In a word: Laser

[@ajaykumarsingh702]

Except, Laser can't be present everywhere simultaneously at once and neither has infinite range. If your adversary really want with dead then YOU ARE DEAD. This is the age of missiles and satellites. Look what happened to the Israeli Iron dome.

[@Ethan0433]

Given that hypersonic speeds generate an enormous amount of heat and are built to handle that heat, and lasers destroy missiles by heating them up until either something burns up or it explodes the payload, and lasers have to be focused on a single point for an extended period to actually do anything, well, no. The main threat of a maneuvering hypersonic weapon is that if you throw an interceptor half its speed at it, you have to put it pretty far ahead to get the intercept. When the missile then changes course, now you are way off on that intercept and likely can't throw another missile in the new path before it gets past. Think of it like hitting a baseball. You don't have to swing the bat faster than the ball, you just have to predict where the ball will be. That's why curveballs are hard, becuase the path changes after you are already swinging the bat.

[@filipmatek]

@@Ethan0433 Impressive response however when you compare the costs of these assets you quickly realize militaries can and already are building in the megawatts lasers which not only fire and aim at the literal speed of light and can get as hot as you are willing to provide them with variable power. At a fraction of the cost all missiles will one day become irrelevant (until the lasers are countered with some types of high tech mirroring technology). It's not a question of if but a question of when.

[@mona.supremacy]

@@filipmatek will always be of limited use due to: 1) being sensitive to weather condition. Snow, rain, strong wind, fog, clouds... 2) Altitude: the higher it is, the least effective it is. Target flying really low? - timeframe gets too short for successful deployment, aiming, heating up of the target. Not to mention, 3rd point becomes even more of an issue. 3) physical obstacles like mountains, trees, cliffs, buildings etc that block you or limit your aim motion range 4) energy-dependent and cannot be easily deployed at scale or in certain areas 5) impractically close range for interception from the ground. Nearly impossible to aim if deployed on a ship and too heavy, dangerous and hard to aim for an aircraft. I can see how it becomes sorta useful in an urban area for engaging certain heavily-armored slow targets, minefields or infrastructure pieces like lines, bridges and explosives, but for it to become competitive with much more reliable, flexible and cheaper option, especially, unmanned or semi-autonomous it has to be much more efficient than it is today.

[@ricka3856]

Hey you may want to bone up on modern lasers especially UK naval lasers​@@mona.supremacy

[@randydewees7338]

Haha - stock footage at 16:08 - MY TWO SECONDS OF FAME!!. The telescope in the low right (our viewpoint) position on the Contraves Kineto mount is a KTM16 cold stop matched MWIR system. I designed this system and built 24 in the period 1998 - 2002. Most are out here on the China Lake test range, but six of them are scattered about. These scopes were/are very successful, and on the scale of this kind of equipment, cheap. The units were about $40K each. The machined parts were jobbed out to various shops on base. The carbon fiber wound tube and carbon layup backplate made by the composites shop. I fabricated the optics at my lab and put them together. Fun fact, the mirror material is Astro-Sitall, a zero expansion glass/ceramic from Russian. Yes, Soviet era material used in USN surveillance equipment. I ran the Naval Weapons Center Optics lab for 27 years, retiring in 2016 - The KTM job was the most fun I had in my working life.

[@momwithaplan1287]

Nice! Thank you for your service. I also hope that you got to enjoy and keep some of that “pocket change” money for yourself and your invention, that helped the US military, to be better equipped. Bravo, sir! Tired of all the defense, contractors and fearmongers, taking all the dough for themselves. JS! 🙌💕🇺🇸

[@randydewees7338]

@@momwithaplan1287 I was a civilian employee, so no thanks deserved. The KTM16 was just one of hundreds of systems I designed, it was my job. I tried to design and build the best systems for the available budget. The carbon structure telescopes we made were high performers relative to cost. While I came up with many original and unique optical designs, I have only two things I'd call true inventions. One I'm especially proud of as it has saved the gov (taxpayer) tens of millions of dollars in test range costs.

[@Jomhockman101]

Just another great video in a series of amazing videos. Thanks, Alex.

[@plflaherty1]

Just love this channel! Thanks

[@nonjaninja4904]

Just getting the chess pieces ready.

[@wolfgangkranek376]

Too bad, that all others are playing Go.

[@cheekybastard99]

We're not even on the chess board yet, Russia already developed and deployed this. We're embarrassingly behind and everyone except you and this group knows it.

[@ScentlessSun]

@@wolfgangkranek376The USA is playing 4 dimensional chess. Everyone else is just playing chess.

[@wolfgangkranek376]

@@ScentlessSun Judging from what I've seen, most in the US can't distinguish between chess and checkers.

[@ScentlessSun]

@@wolfgangkranek376 You say that… but the USA is forward deployed overseas. There are oceans between the USA’s adversaries and its homeland. It can easily reach out and touch anyone.

[@miduv82]

We as in the US had this technology in the 60s. They just shelved it for future use like all other highly classified projects.

[@notyouraveragegoldenpotato]

The x15 was basically a missile with a cockpit😂

[@brunol-p_g8800]

And the French had it in the 1920s and was fielding it in the 60s and 70s… what’s your point? Shall I remember you that the SR-71 engines were based on the French, 1930s, Leduc engines? That the USA space program was built and conducted by Germans without who the USA would have never made it to the moon? That the USA’s nuclear programs and bombs were based on French research and German engineers?

[@micksmith-vt5yi]

Did not and tell you know nothing about hypersonics. you had rockets capable of hypersonic speeds. the new hypersonics are HGV and scramjets that you were struggling with through to 2017 proof is HIFIRE joint Australia, USA hypersonics and HAWC hypersonic missile was developed through these programmes. SCIFIRE was AUKUS joint hypersonics programme. Australia has world fastest scramjet and wind tunnels to test hypersonics that even China stole the wind tunnel design for theirs

[@Rangerone13]

I think he meant we had the ability to maneuver craft at hypersonic speeds back in the 60s in atmosphere

[@micksmith-vt5yi]

@@Rangerone13 You didn't actually. X43A flew straight was no tech for flying hypersonics in manouvres. If research HIFIRE and that is the biggest USA,AUS joint hypersonics programmes they studied HGV during these. how vehicles manouvred during hypersonic flight. HIFIRE 4 2017 successful HGV test as they stated.

[@dr.pepper6688]

Your information is the very best. I learn so much. Thank you!

[@francisbusa1074]

Alex, thanks for a very well put together and revealing report.

[@marksanney2088]

Always enjoy the thorough and objective nature of your videos, my friend. Thank you again for another outstanding video. Enjoy a safe and blessed weekend, my friend. 👍🏻🇺🇸🦅🇺🇸👍🏻

[@jajssblue]

Its crazy that one can fit on an F-15.

[@asage5801]

Regardless of whats said, im not so sure about that

[@vlhc4642]

It can't fit on anything, the program is dead.

[@alphateam3326]

@@vlhc4642ahem. No it is not, same as the railgun program. While the railgun program is dead the government is still looking into railguns. So even if it was truly “dead” (although I doubt it) they are still researching it

[@HuntingTarg]

​@@alphateam3326Railguns work, they just don't work practically enough for military applications (yet). I don't think either tech is dead.

[@dgthe3]

@@HuntingTarg I've heard that part of the problem with various advanced gun system programs in the US was that they made the airmen who fly desks at the Pentagon nervous about the role of aircraft in a future role. So they end up doing things like requiring rail-guns to have a better barrel life than the guns on WWII battleships. And sunofabitch ... you can't do that on your first try with a tech. Program fails to meet requirements, gets canned. Try again in 20 years. Or so I've heard.

[@dls3781]

Hey dude, I enjoy your content and I appreciate your dedication to the truth on matters of military technology. I'm sure you're quite busy with all of your regular content but I'd appreciate it if you could make a KZbin short showing off your models in the background (on wooden stand) as they are usually blurred.

[@heathwirt8919]

Another great report, thank you Alex.

[@thepilotman5378]

We are not behind in this hypersonic tech. We're just the only ones who are taking the concept and actually making a practical, useful, and reliable weapon

[@sshumkaer]

We never are behind. Everyone else is just touching our 60s, 70s, 80s research

[@thomasblankinship98]

​@@sshumkaerthey are still trying to build an airplane that's close to the F22 , a plane developed in the late 80's , built in the 90's and is still the most dominant aircraft built to date. And to think , the Skunkworks has had all this time to create something 50 times better.

[@sshumkaer]

@thomasblankinship98 You can't outdue quality. Concerning the F-22 one of the big disagreement happening right now Concerning the NGAD is what good is a 6 generation aircraft without having generation technology if the F-22 can still defeat it in a dog fight. That is something to watch out for in the years a head

[@Pax.Alotin]

@@sshumkaer Never behind ---- lol --- Little reminder --- the Germans & Brits beat you to Jet flight. The Russians put a satellite into space - while your junk kept falling over in a pile. Americans have some good tech - but you'd have to be a real _'Red-neck'_ to think others are behind.

[@cheekybastard99]

You know Russia actually developed this year's ago and has proven it on a battlefield. We've got failing prototypes pushed out of 50yr old cargo planes. I can't tell if your real or just really out of touch with reality.

[@jerrodbrown5475]

I'm excited to see the rotating detonation engine, surely it will get some live tests somewhat soon.

[@robinseibel7540]

NASA has already live-tested a rotating detonation rocket engine. There are vids on KZbin of that test.

[@user-gr8nr4kp1s]

Thank you for the excellent clarification on hypersonic missiles and the meaning of hypersonic on whether it is an adjective or not.

[@johnnywalker4490]

Outstanding!! As Always, Thank You for Clarifying this to Many People !!

[@ChrisZukowski88]

Russia and China: "we have hypersonic weapons and Usa doesn't. We will be ahead for years!!" *2 years later* shit......

[@randomuser5443]

American: “and mine works”

[@hanrockabrand95]

Hypersonic missiles are still seemingly a solution to a problem that doesn't exist. But yes, this goes onto the long list of things Russia claims to have and the US actually has.

[@randomuser5443]

@@hanrockabrand95its for when you need to kill something really fast without a lot of risk

[@hanrockabrand95]

@@randomuser5443 Kind of. I think it was Perun who pointed out that you could spend the same amount of money to overwhelm air defenses with a large number of conventional missiles or one "silver bullet" missile. I dig the bragging rights of the silver bullet, though

[@subjectc7505]

Our hypersonic missiles failed multiple times. China is the only one ahead of that category, the US and Russia are behind.

[@octonoozle]

Not as good as the Panasonic weapon Japan is using.

[@flagmichael]

Groan!

[@lomonster]

Alex' eyes were lit like I haven't seen in many other videos. I think he was totally excited for this one. Not gonna lie, I was too. Thanks for this one.

[@professorg8383]

I think the real key is a "maneuverable" hypersonic missile. The reason is because if truly hypersonic, no signals can get in or out because of the plasma around the missile. Now, it maybe that the initial aiming for a target, starts out headed to a slightly different location and then after a specific time in flight, steering could be actuated which in turn changes its path to hit what was actually the real target. What this would amount is making a preplanned adjustment in flight, strictly based on the timing of when the adjustment occurs. The missile will not know where it is at and can not see the actual target. As with a high speed ballistic missile it is on a ballistic path. But if you initially aim 10 mile left of the target and then precisely at the correct time, steer right, the adjusted ballistic path would be to take it where you actually wanted it to go. But the missile can not home in on a target because it is blind. Nor can it know that an intercept is on the way and try to evade. So any maneuverability is merely a very precisely time deception/diversion, pre -programmed in. This inability of a hypersonic missile to be "smart" because it is "deaf and blind", makes it just another ballistic missile. As I understand it, the inability to defy physics is what was driving cancellation. But pre-programming a diversion, could make it harder to intercept assuming the enemy didn't know the real target. Unlikely that they wouldn't know what they were trying to protect.

[@nickestes1839]

The perfect weapon for the three gorges dam lmao

[@dgthe3]

Not really. Unless you have dozens of them hit near-enough the exact same spot, you're not going to do any harm to that beast. It is, functionally, solid concrete. And if you do burst the dam, congratulations: you have now committed a war crime & killed millions of people in the resulting flood. That, and the dam isn't exactly on the coast. You'd have to get pretty close to the mainland to have a chance at hitting it. The stealth bombers could do that, but anything else would be intercept able by Chinese fighters and/or SAMs. Besides, the dam isn't even that important of a target anyway. It produces something like 0.25% of the country's electrical power.

[@flagmichael]

The dam is not a target; that went out with WW2. We are not even thinking about "strategic bombing" for major conflicts.

[@arnaudnieuwoudt5211]

Why would you want to kill millions living downstream?

[@ryantaylor1142]

Ala ka blam

[@sauronthemighty3985]

The Iskander/Khinzhal is maneuverable, but it has more in common with the pershing ii from the 80s than with modern weapons like arrw or zircon.

[@norknight9406]

Can you explain for someone with less knowledge?

[@robertbozentka1698]

Great well informed and common sense approach to air power. Thank You

[@ibDirtyGlasses]

Airpower!!

[@joshuacotton8114]

Russia's super Sonic misske didn't prove to be any benefit as the patriot still shot it down. I mean it'll get there a little faster

[@bbwphantom]

Thanks Alex great vid.

[@kyejt-r]

Alex saying “AIRPOWER” would never get old

[@texasranger24]

Could you do a video about the future of Shorad? Will short range air defense provided by the laser stryker? Will the Bradley replacement IFV XM30 function as an anti air cannon? Should the US look at the SkyRanger / Skynex / millenium gun system? And will there be a Stinger replacement with a better battery, targeting, and most importantly more affordable? Or is this affordable future the APKWS guidance upgrade for the cheap and plentiful Hydra 70mm rocket? Should we slap that on Avenger Hummvees? Or IRIS-T?

[@pauljs75]

I guess Grandpa Buff has something to tell the kids about?

[@miketully9905]

This is great work Alex.

[@smackncheesey9784]

Damn hearing you call Russian weapons weaksauce literally brought a smile to my face😂. I literally got a mix of nostalgia and happiness hearing you roast them lol.

[@scottlink183]

KZbin is playing games with this channel Alex. The channel has been “hidden” on my feed despite liking every one of these videos and adding it to my favorites.

[@jerrybarrax5618]

Did you subscribe? Cause if you tap the bell icon, you'll never miss a drop...from Sandboxx news. :-)