Hypersonic missiles may have a much shorter range and are generally under power for the entire flight. Some Hypersonics may use Ramjet engines.
Right. I’ve never seen a missile travel at mach 5-10 or anything close. Are ramjets a real thing or just experimental.
In other words are hypersonic missiles real or just a new tech fantasy that everybody uses? Like Reagan did with Star Wars.
What would be the range for a missile to achieve that speed? One would think they’d expend their fuel in a few seconds based on their capacity to carry the fuel.
non powered final portion of the ballistic flight.
Additionally, in modern defense lexicon hypersonic primarily references weapon systems employing ramjet propulsion. China, India & Russia have deployed such weapons while the US continues to feign failure of ongoing 'tests', highlighting the low value the USN places on such conventional weapons.
Terminal defense (CIWS & ESSM) is the only effective measure we have (marginal) until lasers make the next developmental leap. Hence the focus by DARPA/USN on energy-based weapon systems. In the meantime, ESSM is being continually upgraded to meet the threat, including both active seekers and a proposed tripling of range under the ESSM Development Consortium.