Hypersonic Missiles

Hypersonic missiles achieve speeds above Mach 5 through advanced propulsion systems like scramjets (supersonic combustion ramjets) or boost-glide mechanisms.

Scramjets compress incoming air without moving parts and mix it with onboard fuel, allowing combustion to occur while air continues to travel through the engine at supersonic speeds, eliminating the need for heavy oxidizers.

Boost-glide vehicles are launched by conventional rockets and then detach to glide at hypersonic velocities through the upper atmosphere, using their aerodynamic surfaces for lift and maneuverability.

Specialized heat-resistant materials such as reinforced carbon-carbon and ultra-high-temperature ceramics protect the missile’s body from extreme aerodynamic heating caused by air friction at those speeds.