German companies have had the issue of hypersonics on their radar for some time and have already done pioneering work in this area. Areas above five times the speed of sound are referred to as hypersonic. Bayern-Chemie, a subsidiary of MBDA Germany, had already constructed an engine at the beginning of the new millennium with which a guided missile tested in Meppen in 2003 could be accelerated to 8,644 km/h and thus broke the world record at the time. According to reports, the lack of threat scenarios has ensured that no further investments were made in this area. This circumstance changed significantly at the latest after the change in the world political situation and the presentation of Russian offensive supersonic weapons.
Research & Technology Study
The Bundeswehr has been addressing the subject of hypersonics since last year, and the Federal Office for Equipment, Information Technology and Use of the Bundeswehr (BAAINBw) set up a technology program (R&T, level 2) in 2018. According to Peter Heilmeier, Head of Sales and Business Development at MBDA Germany, the first prototypes, including the first shots, can be expected in three years. Germany's approach is initially only of a defensive nature, e.g. as an anti-tank weapon against the distance-active protection systems of the Russian T-14 ARMATA. The responsiveness of such systems would not be sufficient to detect and combat anti-tank guided missiles approaching with hypersonic speed.
Another option is to implement it as a defense system against enemy missiles and missiles. Hypersonic weapons can reach speeds of Mach 5 and faster. This means that they are usually too quick to take defensive measures. Interceptor missiles must therefore operate in similar speed ranges in order to be able to combat incoming hypersonic weapons quickly enough. The current project is a purely national study without the insight of international partners.
Ein interessanter Aspekt dieser Technologie ist die Frage, ob eine solche Waffe überhaupt noch einen Gefechtskopf benötigt, oder ob aufgrund der Geschwindigkeit von Mach 5+ die reine kinetische Energie ausreichend ist, um die gewünschte Wirkung im Ziel zu erreichen.
Furthermore, there are considerations in Germany to use this technology in the field of air defense, for example in the course of the TLVS program. The potential purpose of use would be, for example, the defense against Russian ballistic missiles, so-called (AVANGARD) Hypersonic Glider (HGV), aerodynamic missiles (SSC-8 SCREWDRIVER) and nuclear-powered cruise missiles (9M730 BUREVESTNIK/SSC-X-9 SKYFALL). In addition to MBDA, IABG and DIEHL Defense are also working on this topic.
International projects
Russia has already tested several hypersonic weapons, but not yet under operational conditions, the USA and CHINA are also working hard on such weapons. It is expected that nations such as Great Britain, Japan and Israel will soon also present initial results and projects. France wants to realize a first hypersonic glider with the V-MaX by 2021.
Andre Forkert
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