Can You Stop a Hypersonic Missile?
This analysis argues that the term 'hypersonic' is being misused by the media to describe various missile types that do not meet the technical definition of maneuvering boost-glide vehicles. It highlights that current defense systems have not been tested against true hypersonic threats.
Why it matters
Misunderstanding military technology capabilities can lead to public misconceptions regarding national security and the effectiveness of current missile defense systems.
The headlines say yes. Patriot crews shot down a Kinzhal over Kyiv on the night of May 4, 2023. Arrow-3 batteries killed Iranian ballistic missiles over Tel Aviv in April and October 2024. A pair of THAAD batteries in Israel emptied something close to a quarter of the US national inventory across twelve days of war in June 2025. The headline word in every one of those engagements was hypersonic. The headline is wrong.
The article provides a technical critique of media reporting rather than taking a political stance on defense policy.
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