Supersonic Missiles: Technology, Doctrine, and Global Power

The provided text offers a comprehensive overview of supersonic missile technology, defining these weapons as those traveling between Mach 1 and Mach 5, a critical speed range that dramatically reduces an adversary's reaction time. It explores the physics and engineering challenges of supersonic flight, including advanced propulsion systems like ramjets and solid fuel ducted ramjets, as well as the specialized aerodynamics and materials required to withstand extreme heat and forces. The text then analyzes the global proliferation and strategic application of these missiles, highlighting how major powers like the U.S., Russia, and China utilize them for anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) strategies and time-critical strikes. Finally, it examines the evolving battlefield, discussing countermeasures, the implications for strategic stability, and how supersonic advancements lay the groundwork for future hypersonic weapon development.