US Darpa launches next-gen hypersonic cruise missile program to counter China

Darpa is initiating the Next Generation Hypersonic Cruise Missile program, focusing on air-breathing propulsion, to close the gap after China fielded the world's first operational air-breathing hypersonic missiles a year ago. The program signals an accelerated US effort to match a specific Chinese capability, though timelines and technical hurdles remain uncertain. This marks a notable shift in US hypersonic development priorities toward air-breathing systems.