Episode Summary:

In episode 66 of the Aerospace Advantage podcast, Hypersonic Strike: Have China and Russia Won the Race?, host John “Slick” Baum, engages with two leading experts, Dr. Mark Lewis and Dr. Dick Hallion, to learn more about this critical technology and next steps we need to take to operationalize it. The ability to fly at five at times the speed of sound is an absolute game-changer. However, flying this fast on an everyday basis is incredibly demanding from a technical perspective. The reason you’ve heard a lot about hypersonics lately is that we’re in a race with China and Russia to develop operational capabilities in this realm and we’re not at the head of the pack. Leaders are worried because if you think developing hypersonic technologies is tough, defending against them is even harder. The irony is that for decades, the U.S. was the leader in hypersonics thanks to its work with aircraft like the X-15. Since then, we’ve pursued a few test programs, but it really hasn’t been a priority for defense leaders. That’s all changed now that we find ourselves falling behind our adversaries. It’s caused a massive reset in the Department of Defense, with numerous surge efforts launched to help America regain its hypersonic edge.

Credits:

Host: Lt Col (Ret.) John “Slick” Baum, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Producer: Daniel C. Rice

Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

Guest: Dr. Richard Hallion, Aerospace expert

Guest: Dr. Mark Lewis, Executive Director, Emerging Technologies Institute, National Defense Industrial Association

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