Both nuclear and strategic non-nuclear weapons remain top priorities for the Trump-Vance Administration amid rapid changes in the international security environment. U.S. President-elect Donald J. Trump has emphasized the need to reshape the White House’s approach to homeland security, particularly in the context of strengthening the nuclear factor. President Trump appears to use nuclear policy as a rhetorical tool, positioning it as a key instrument in confronting U.S. adversaries while advancing his administration’s broader strategic deterrence framework. Notably, the modernization of U.S. strategic nuclear forces has been a continuous process, initiated during Joe Biden’s presidency and now undergoing further transformation.
The modernization of strategic nuclear forces encompasses both nuclear and conventional weapons, with a particular focus on ensuring military readiness. During the Biden administration, concerns emerged regarding the efficiency and reliability of the U.S. nuclear arsenal. The slow progress in hypersonic weapons development has created significant challenges for advancing the broader nuclear modernization agenda. As the global race for hypersonic capabilities accelerates, the United States faces growing pressure to enhance its own hypersonic systems in a timely manner.
The “Golden Age Blueprint”: Nuclear Posture Review 2022 and the Role of Hypersonic Weapons
Under the 2022 Nuclear Posture Review (NPR), U.S. nuclear strategy aims to strengthen the nuclear component of national security through the comprehensive modernization of nuclear warheads and delivery systems. Hypersonic weapons have become a central element of this modernization plan, representing both nuclear and strategic non-nuclear elements of the integrated deterrence framework. On August 25, 2023, U.S. Department of Defense officials emphasized that hypersonic weapons serve as a crucial mechanism for ensuring unity of purpose and direction in nuclear deterrence-related activities.
The U.S. approach to hypersonic weapons modernization consists of two key elements:
- Technological Advancement – Assessing progress in hypersonic weapons development.
- Infrastructure and Workforce Expansion – Enhancing test infrastructure and developing specialized personnel to support these technologies.
This dual approach reflects a broader effort to reconceptualize the role of hypersonic weapons in U.S. defense policy. The Trump-Vance Administration has shown particular interest in scramjet technologies, indicating a renewed focus on increasing the speed and effectiveness of hypersonic cruise missiles. Additionally, Trump’s strategic vision appears to include normalizing U.S.-Russia relations while simultaneously bolstering the power and capabilities of U.S. hypersonic weapons as part of a nuclear risk management strategy.
The modernization of W78 and W87 nuclear warheads is directly linked to advancements in hypersonic cruise missile technology. The ultimate goal is to transition from these legacy warheads to the more efficient W87-1, which is expected to enhance the deployment of nuclear warheads on both hypersonic cruise missiles and hypersonic glide vehicles. This marks a shift from the previous plan to integrate W87-1 into a new iteration of the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile by 2030.
The design of the new W87-1 nuclear warhead should be conceptualized as a system of strategic components that enhance the functionality of hypersonic weapons. This system consists of two primary elements: nuclear and strategic (non-nuclear) applications. Modern missile technologies are closely intertwined with both hypersonic and scramjet technologies, facilitating the integration of these strategic components with U.S. sensor and laser systems.
Under the 2022 Nuclear Posture Review (NPR), the primary objective of modernizing such strategic components is to enhance the effectiveness of U.S. hypersonic weapons. This involves ensuring control over the reform of dual-use capabilities – where nuclear and conventional systems are interconnected – by optimizing both the flight profile and maneuverability of strategic weapons. However, the current state of U.S. scramjet technology lags behind that of China and Russia. While U.S. hypersonic systems can reach speeds of up to Mach 5, Russia’s Avangard Hypersonic Glide Vehicle is capable of speeds up to Mach 27. This technological gap presents a significant challenge for Washington’s hypersonic weapons program. Furthermore, despite the NPR 2022 outlining key objectives, the mechanisms for rapidly advancing U.S. hypersonic weapons development remain unclear.
Potential Pathways for the Advancement of U.S. Hypersonic Weapons
Hypersonic weapons play a critical role in maintaining the combat effectiveness of U.S. strategic nuclear forces. However, progress in hypersonic technology development has been slow. The Biden-Harris Administration has focused on improving missile technology and warheads as part of a broader reorganization of the U.S. hypersonic program. Nevertheless, this approach has not enabled the U.S. to match Russia’s advancements in hypersonic technology. A key limitation appears to be Washington’s emphasis on enhancing strategic components without significantly advancing scramjet and missile propulsion technologies, thereby weakening the overall hypersonic development strategy.
During his presidency, Donald Trump urged the U.S. Department of Defense to prioritize the development of existing hypersonic weapons rather than investing in an entirely new range of systems, aiming to reduce economic costs. One notable initiative involved establishing new flight corridors for hypersonic weapons testing over the U.S. and Australia. This shift could redefine the primary purpose of hypersonic weapons. Additionally, Trump advocated for the creation of an “American Golden Dome,” a concept integrating offensive and defensive capabilities while positioning hypersonic weapons as a cornerstone of national security.
While hypersonic weapons are expected to be comprehensively integrated with U.S. defense capabilities, the current administration seeks to achieve speeds of Mach 10–12 for hypersonic glide vehicles. Several overseas test ranges have been established to validate these developments.
Conclusion
The modernization of U.S. nuclear capabilities is closely linked to hypersonic weaponization, with a focus on enhancing strategic components for dual-use systems. The U.S. has ambitious plans to revolutionize its hypersonic programs, particularly through advancements in missile technology and scramjet propulsion. The Trump-Vance Administration appears committed to reshaping hypersonic development, reinforcing Trump’s previous support for initiatives like the “Golden Dome.” However, many of these strategies remain theoretical, and it remains to be seen how U.S. hypersonic capabilities will evolve in the near future.
Key words: Hypersonic Weapons; Strategic Stability; Global Security; United States
AC
F4/SOR – 25/03/16
