What is a hypersonic missile and how does it work? An aerospace engineer explains

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Russia used a hypersonic missile against a Ukrainian arms depot in the western part of the country on March 18, 2022. That might sound scary, but the technology the Russians used was not particularly advanced. However, next-generation hypersonic missiles that Russia, China, and the U.S. are developing pose a significant threat to national and global security.

I am an aerospace engineer who studies space and defense systems, including hypersonic systems. These new systems pose an important challenge due to their maneuverability all along their trajectory. Because their flight paths can change as they travel, these missiles must be tracked throughout their flight.