U.S. successfully test-fires hypersonic missile in March, delays disclosure to prevent escalation of tensions

　　China News Service, April 5. According to a report by CNN on the 4th, the United States successfully test-fired a hypersonic missile in mid-March 2022, but to avoid tension with Russia, US defense officials said. The situation has escalated, and the news has not been made public.

FILE PHOTO: A B-52 bomber.

　　According to reports, the hypersonic missile was launched from a B-52 bomber located on the west coast of the United States.

The U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) did not disclose too many details, except that the missile was flying at speeds greater than Mach 5, flying at an altitude of more than 65,000 feet (about 19,812 meters), and flying over a distance of more than 300 miles (about 482.8 kilometers) — - Even at the lowest speed of hypersonics, the time required to fly this distance is no more than 5 minutes.

　　The test took place as U.S. President Joe Biden was preparing to travel to Europe to meet with NATO allies, including a trip in Poland to meet Ukrainian foreign and defense ministers.

According to US media reports, the United States has been careful to avoid taking measures or making statements to prevent unnecessary escalation of tensions between the United States and Russia.

　　On April 1, the United States called off a conventional test launch of the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile.

At the same time, the United States has also been cautious about weapons and equipment being shipped to Ukraine.

Only in the newly announced $300 million security assistance package did the Department of Defense list specific weapons content.

　　According to previous reports, the Russian army used the "Dagger" hypersonic missile system for the first time on March 18 to destroy a large underground missile and aviation ammunition warehouse in Ukraine.

In this regard, US officials believe that the "Dagger" is just an air-launched version of the "Iskander" short-range ballistic missile, not a revolution in hypersonic weapons.

US Defense Secretary Austin said that the "dagger" did not bring subversive changes to the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.

"I think he (Russian President Vladimir Putin) is using this weapon in order to regain control."

　　In recent months, the United States has increased the importance of hypersonic weapons following successful Russian tests.

In the defense budget for fiscal year 2023, the Biden administration has requested $7.2 billion for long-range fires, including hypersonic missiles.