6 Game-Changing Hypersonic Missiles Defining the Global Arms Race in 2025

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Iran claimed to have test-fired a hypersonic missile named Fattah-1 toward Israel during an attack on Wednesday night, June 18, 2025. Developed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Fattah-1 is Iran’s first medium-range hypersonic ballistic missile.

Capable of flying at over five times the speed of sound and maneuvering mid-air, the missile is difficult to detect or intercept.

Hypersonic missiles, which can reach speeds up to Mach 10, are considered among the most lethal modern weapons due to their speed and agility. A 2021 report by the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) described them as the most significant advancement in missile technology since intercontinental ballistic missiles.

The report also warned that these weapons could destabilize global security. Unlike traditional ballistic missiles that follow predictable trajectories, newer hypersonic missiles fly at lower altitudes, below 60,000 feet, and can change direction in flight, making them far harder to counter. Some analysts call them virtually unstoppable.

Six Leading Hypersonic Missiles in the World

At present, Russia and China dominate the global race for hypersonic missiles, with three advanced systems each.

1. Kh-47M2 Kinzhal – Russia

The Kinzhal is a modified version of Russia’s Iskander ballistic missile, featuring improved guidance and aerodynamic design for better maneuverability.

Tail and fin upgrades help it evade air defense systems like the US-made Patriot. It can reach nearly Mach 5 and carry either a 550-kilogram conventional warhead or a nuclear warhead up to 500 kilotons.

Russia has used the Kinzhal in Ukraine with conventional warheads, though its effectiveness was questioned after a Patriot system intercepted one in May 2023. Ukraine later claimed to have downed several more. Some analysts have labeled it "quasi-ballistic" due to doubts about its maneuverability.

2. 3M22 Zircon – Russia

Also known as Tsirkon, Zircon is Russia's first hypersonic missile with a scramjet engine. Unlike the Kinzhal, which is based on conventional ballistic designs, Zircon uses air-breathing propulsion that compresses atmospheric oxygen for thrust. It is capable of reaching Mach 9.

Zircon is built to carry both conventional and nuclear warheads and offers better range and maneuverability than typical short-range missiles. Russia claims the missile can be launched from warships and submarines, and it is currently being adapted for land-based platforms. Although it has undergone testing, it has not yet been officially deployed.

3. Avangard (Object 4202) – Russia

Avangard is one of Russia’s most powerful hypersonic weapons, highlighted by Dmitry Medvedev in the context of the Ukraine war. It is launched via a ballistic missile, then detaches and flies at hypersonic speed toward its target.

Mounted on the RS-28 Sarmat, or Satan-2, with a range over 11,000 miles, Avangard can change direction mid-flight, making it hard to intercept. It reportedly carries a nuclear payload of up to two megatons—130 times more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb.

4. Dongfeng-17 (DF-17) – China

The DF-17 is China’s main hypersonic missile and includes a glide vehicle known as the DF-ZF. Its launcher is often described as an "aircraft carrier killer" due to its massive size compared to US anti-ship missiles like the Harpoon.

Unlike conventional ballistic missiles that fly at high altitudes, the DF-17 follows a flatter trajectory below 60,000 feet, making it harder to detect early. Once launched, the DF-ZF separates from the rocket and glides at speeds over Mach 5 toward its target.

5. Xingkong-2 – China

Introduced in 2018, Xingkong-2 is a unique Chinese hypersonic missile that uses a scramjet engine and a wave-rider aerodynamic design. This setup allows the missile to travel without added air resistance by riding on its own shockwave, much like a wingless stealth aircraft.

The United States tested similar technology in the X-51 project, but it was never developed for operational use. Xingkong-2 is thought to have intercontinental range, though observers believe it may still take years before it is ready for military deployment.

6. WZ-8 – China

The WZ-8 is an unmanned hypersonic reconnaissance drone first revealed by China in 2019. It is considered the world’s only active hypersonic aircraft and resembles the American D-21 drone. However, it is capable of reaching speeds up to Mach 7.

The drone is launched from the H-6K bomber and then activates its rocket to fly at altitudes over 80,000 feet before returning. The name "WZ" comes from Wu Zhen, which means "stealth" or "invisible" in Chinese.

Due to its speed and flight altitude, the WZ-8 is nearly impossible to target using conventional surface-to-air defense systems, making it a highly effective surveillance tool. Some analysts speculate that it could eventually be equipped with warheads for sudden strike missions.

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