Donald Trump reveals U.S. is building HYPERSONIC weapons whose development was closely-guarded secret as he boasts of American military strength after Iranian strikes
- The president touted the U.S. missile arsenal even as he said Iran was standing down
- He called U.S. missiles ‘big, powerful’ and accurate
- He said ‘many’ hypersonic missiles were under construction
- Russia announced late last year it had deployed the super-fast weapons
President Donald Trump told the nation Wednesday the U.S. was developing ‘many’ super-fast hypersonic missiles as he brandished U.S. missile capabilities even as he said Iran ‘appears to be standing down.’
Trump boasted of the U.S. missile arsenal hours after Iran launched as many as 20 ballistic missiles toward Iraqi airbases, including facilities that house U.S. personnel. But according to the Pentagon the launches failed to cause casualties and Iraq was given advanced warning.
‘Our missiles are big, powerful, accurate, lethal and fast,’ Trump said during his speech to the nation from the Grand Foyer of the White House.
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 08: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks from the White House on January 08, 2020 in Washington, DC. During his remarks Trump addressed the Iranian missile attacks that took place last night in Iraq. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
‘Under construction are many hypersonic missiles,’ he continued. ‘The fact that we have this great military and equipment, however, does not mean we have to use it. We do not want to use it. American strength, both military and economic, is the best deterrent,’ Trump said.
He defended the U.S. attack on Iranian general Qassem Soleimani, calling him the world’s ‘top terrorist’ and saying his hands were ‘drenched’ in both American and Iranian blood.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has spoken of Russia’s development of the super-fast weapons, and Russia announced late last year it had deployed them
TOPSHOT – An image grab from footage obtained from the state-run Iran Press news agency on January 8, 2020 allegedly shows rockets launched from the Islamic republic against the US military base in Ein-al Asad in Iraq the prevous night
He also defended the U.S. hit on top ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, ‘who was responsible for so much death.’
Russia announced late last year it had deployed the super-fast weapons. According to the New York Times, it can carry a nuclear warhead at speeds faster than 3,800 miles per hour. The high-speed and maneuverability make it very difficult for potential adversaries to shoot down the missiles, amid advances in missile defense technology.
Russia’s advances come amid the looming expiration of the New START missile treaty.
The advanced U.S. missile program is not secret, and is included in Pentagon spending budgets, however U.S. officials have been coy about revealing its scope and how far along the military and contractors are in the process.