Furthermore, the country will increase research into AI technologies in order to understand how they could aid front-line service personnel. It will also invest in improving intelligence, communication, and surveillance capabilities in space.<\/p>\n
Defence Science and Technology Laboratory or Dstl Chief Executive Dr. Paul Hollinshead said, \u201cDstl\u2019s world-class scientists are committed to delivering the best scientific advice and technological solutions, giving the armed forces operational advantage, the edge in decision making, and saving lives.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to Dstl, the new portfolio will see defense invest heavily in hypersonic research as well as AI, cyber, electromagnet activities, innovative sensors, sophisticated materials, space, and assistance for nuclear deterrence.<\/p>\n
The United Kingdom is stepping up its efforts to develop hypersonic weapons. In April, US President Joe Biden, UK\u2019s Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and then Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that the AUKUS trilateral security pact would be expanded to include \u201ccooperation on hypersonics and counter-hypersonic\u201d weapons.<\/p>\n
Hypersonic missiles, which can deliver nuclear or conventional warheads, fly at least five times the speed of sound, making them significantly quicker than cruise missiles. They are maneuverable, which allows them to evade conventional missile defense systems.<\/p>\n
Why Does UK Want Hypersonic Weapons?<\/b><\/p>\n
Early this year, Tony Radakin, the UK\u2019s Chief of Defense Staff, said that his country is developing hypersonic weapons to counter Russia\u2019s expanding military might. \u201cWe haven\u2019t [got them] and we must have,\u201d he\u00a0said<\/a>.<\/p>\n Similarly, the UK\u2019s national security advisor, Stephen Lovegrove, earlier stated that Russia\u2019s invasion of Ukraine made it \u201cmore important than ever that allies work together to defend democracy, international law, and freedom around the world.\u201d<\/p>\n The Ukraine war has put missiles at the top of several countries\u2019 priority lists. Prior to its invasion of Ukraine, Russia tested roughly ten new Tsirkon hypersonic cruise missiles from a frigate and two more from a submarine.<\/p>\n Earlier, US President Joe Biden acknowledged the might of Moscow and said \u2014 Russia used its Kinzhal hypersonic missile in Ukraine that was \u201cnearly impossible to stop.\u201d<\/p>\n Russia\u00a0admitted<\/a>\u00a0using them twice against targets near Mykolaiv and elsewhere in Ukraine\u2019s west. According to Western assessments, this was the first time hypersonic missiles were employed in combat.<\/p>\n Britain already has a track record in developing high-speed weaponry such as MBDA\u2019s Meteor missile, which can fly at about Mach 4 (four times the speed of sound). The country also awarded a\u00a0contract<\/a>\u00a0to Rolls-Royce and its industrial partners in 2019 with the aim of developing high-Mach aircraft propulsion technologies.<\/p>\n As Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier\u00a0noted<\/a>\u00a0at the time, the plan was to enter into a two-year agreement with the industry to conduct design research, development, and experimentation of propulsion systems.<\/p>\n Likewise, the First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Ben Key\u00a0recently stated<\/a>\u00a0that the Royal Navy aspires to be a \u201cglobal leader in hypersonic weapons.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.fie.undef.edu.ar\/ceptm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Hypersonic-e1639563698229.webp\")