The United Kingdom is developing a new hypersonic missile system, Nightfall, which is planned to be transferred to Ukraine and used as a technological basis for future long-range strike weapons programs of the British Armed Forces. The project has already passed initial tests and received significant investment.
It was reported by The Times.
The development is being carried out by the British company Hypersonica, which creates missiles capable of maneuvering at speeds exceeding five speeds of sound. According to The Times, the first tests of the navigation systems, developed in just nine months, took place at the Andoya spaceport in Norway.
During the tests, the missile reached a speed of more than 7,400 kilometers per hour, which corresponds to a Mach 6. The UK government has confirmed that the Nightfall system will be transferred to Ukraine and will also become the basis for promising British long-range strike projects. The supply contracts are expected to be signed in March.
Hypersonica co-founder and CEO Philipp Kerth emphasized that investment in hypersonic technology should provide Europe with the ability to deliver deep and precision strikes in the required timeframe and at an affordable cost. According to him, the deployment of such missiles is planned by the end of this decade
Earlier, the UK and Germany announced their intention to create a long-range strike system with a range of more than 2,000 kilometers as part of the Trinity House agreement. Kerth noted that Europe is increasingly realizing the importance of "deep strike" capabilities as a key element of deterrence and defense, and this requires new approaches to the development of relevant technologies.
Hypersonica is one of 90 organizations selected to participate in the government's GBP 1 billion hypersonic development program. The company plans to expand its production facilities in the UK and Eastern Europe, focusing on the requirements of future customers.
As a reminder, russia has sharply increased its munitions production to a scale that indicates not only the continuation of the war against Ukraine, but also preparations for possible future conflicts beyond its borders.
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