Business Insider: Russia, China, and the US are in a hypersonic weapons arm race — and officials warn the US could be falling behind
* Russia, China, and the US are competing in a hypersonic weapons arms race.
* These weapons can travel at above mach 5 and are maneuverable, making them extremely difficult to intercept.
* Comments by US officials about Russia and China's recent gains have led some to believe that the US is currently losing the race.
* The situation is more complex — Russia and China appear to be ahead of the US in terms of nuclear-capable hypersonic weapons, but the US is leading the way in hypersonic weapons that carry conventional payloads.
Three of the most powerful nations on Earth — Russia, China, and the US — are in an arms race for hypersonic weapons and the US might be lagging behind.
Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis said at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing this week that "hypersonics is the number one priority," for the US military's research and development.
"Both having them for ourselves, but also the defense against them. It is our number one priority in the developing technology" realm, he said.
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WNU Editor: To think the U.S. was ahead in this technology until the Chinese spooked everyone with their own test in late 2013 .... China Is Developing Their Own Hypersonic Technology (January 13, 2014).