AN INCIPIENT ARMS RACE: HYPERSONIC WEAPON DEVELOPMENT IN THE UNITED STATES, CHINA, AND RUSSIA
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Authors
McFarland, John W., IV
Subjects
hypersonic missile
hypersonic weapon development
arms race
hypersonic weapon development
arms race
Advisors
Huntley, Wade L.
Date of Issue
2022-12
Date
Publisher
Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
The United States, China, and Russia are each competing to develop hypersonic weapons. Can this hypersonic weapon competition be classified as an arms race? Current literature regarding hypersonic weapons treats them as a manifestation of arms racing, but does not offer a comprehensive assessment of arms race dynamics in current hypersonic weapon development. This thesis uses traditional arms race theory and current strategic stability literature to analyze the hypersonic weapon competition and to highlight challenges the competition imposes.
This thesis proposes a new arms racing category to classify the hypersonic weapon competition: an incipient arms race. It defines an incipient arms race, examines the importance of recognizing its incipiency, and raises potential problems for policymakers to consider. This thesis recommends that policymakers fully consider the impact that a full arms race would have on global strategic security prior to committing the required resources to offensive and defensive hypersonic weapon systems.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
National Security Affairs (NSA)
Organization
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NPS Report Number
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Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.