Hypersonic Weapons and the Future of Naval Warfare

Hypersonic weapons promise to have a revolutionary impact naval warfare. Capable of speeds in excess of mach 10, hypersonics allow for a level of speed and responsiveness that has never before been witnessed in the history of warfare. Their ability to move so quickly places substantial stress on command and control systems, degrading an enemy's defensive capacity. As promising as this technology is, many may be overestimating the impact it will have over the next 20 to 30 years, even claiming these systems will make aircraft carriers obsolete. But how likely is that, given the substantial technical challenges still facing hypersonic technology? Perhaps we should be looking at the limitations of hypersonic weapons, in addition to their strengths? After all, overestimating a military capability is often as dangerous as underestimating it. In this instance, many have fallen into the trap of technological optimism. So, what is the realistic impact these systems will have on naval warfare in the foreseeable future?