The Global Hypersonic Race

... Although little is known about its intended mission, it could also serve as a reconnaissance platform. 2. Hypersonic kill vehicles Scramjet-powered hypersonic cruise missiles that can be launched by an aircraft, a sea-surface ship or a submarine (the Russian ... ... hardened command posts and critical facilities. Glide vehicles (the Russian Avangard; the U.S. Lockheed Martin Falcon, HIFiRE and HSSW/TBG [High-Speed Strike Weapon/Tactical Boost Glide]; and the Chinese WU-14/DF-ZF) are primarily intended as nuclear strike ...