Fact Check: "America is behind Russia and China on hypersonic weaponry"
What We Know
The claim that "America is behind Russia and China on hypersonic weaponry" is supported by multiple credible sources. According to a report by the Congressional Budget Office, the U.S. is actively developing hypersonic weapons, but significant technological challenges remain. These challenges include managing the extreme heat generated during hypersonic flight and ensuring the reliability of sensitive electronics. The report highlights that while the U.S. is working on these systems, it has yet to deploy a single hypersonic weapon, with the Army's Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon delayed until at least fiscal year 2025 due to testing setbacks (Testing Top of Mind as U.S. Lags China In Hypersonics Race).
In contrast, China is reported to have the world's leading hypersonic arsenal, with extensive investments in research and development over the past two decades. Russia also has operational hypersonic systems, with three deployed, including two that have been used in conflict (Testing Top of Mind as U.S. Lags China In Hypersonics Race). This indicates that both countries have made significant advancements in hypersonic technology, positioning them ahead of the U.S. in this critical area of military capability.
Analysis
The evidence presented indicates a clear disparity in the hypersonic capabilities of the U.S. compared to Russia and China. The Congressional Budget Office emphasizes the ongoing technological hurdles that the U.S. faces, which have resulted in delays in deployment. The assertion by Jeffrey McCormick, a senior intelligence analyst, that "China now has the world’s leading hypersonic arsenal" and that "Russia currently has three deployed hypersonic weapon systems" (Testing Top of Mind as U.S. Lags China In Hypersonics Race) further substantiates the claim.
Additionally, the U.S. has been criticized for a lack of investment in hypersonic testing infrastructure, which has reportedly degraded since the end of the Cold War (Testing Top of Mind as U.S. Lags China In Hypersonics Race). This degradation has hampered the U.S.'s ability to keep pace with the rapid advancements made by China and Russia, who have prioritized hypersonic technology as a key component of their military strategies.
The sources used in this analysis are credible, including government reports and expert testimonies. The Congressional Budget Office is a nonpartisan agency that provides analysis to Congress, and the insights from defense analysts are based on extensive research and firsthand knowledge of military capabilities.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that "America is behind Russia and China on hypersonic weaponry" is substantiated by credible evidence indicating that both countries have advanced their hypersonic programs significantly ahead of the U.S. The technological challenges faced by the U.S. and the delays in deploying hypersonic weapons further support this conclusion.
