Pentagon generals have issued a stark warning about gaps in the US missile defense shield, specifically regarding hypersonic weapons. In a recent statement, they emphasized that current systems are inadequate to counter the speed and maneuverability of hypersonic missiles, which can travel at over Mach 5 and change trajectory mid-flight.
According to a 2026 report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the US has invested over $12 billion in hypersonic defense research since 2015, but no operational system is yet deployed. The generals noted that existing interceptors, designed for ballistic missiles, cannot track or engage hypersonic threats effectively.
This warning comes amid rapid advances by China and Russia, both of which have tested hypersonic weapons. The Pentagon has called for accelerated development of space-based sensors and new interceptor technologies to close the gap.
