Hypersonic Glide Vehicle

A Hypersonic Glide Vehicle (HGV) is a warhead delivery system that combines the speed of a ballistic missile with the maneuverability of an aerodynamic vehicle. Unlike a traditional ballistic missile warhead that follows a predictable parabolic trajectory, an HGV is released from its booster at the edge of the atmosphere and then glides toward its target at speeds exceeding Mach 5, maneuvering unpredictably along the way. This combination of extreme speed and maneuverability makes it exceptionally difficult for existing missile defense systems to intercept.

China's DF-ZF and Russia's Avangard are the most advanced HGVs known to be in development or early deployment. The United States has pursued its own programs, including the Army's Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) and the Navy's Conventional Prompt Strike. These weapons are designed to provide the ability to strike high-value, time-sensitive targets anywhere in the world within minutes.

The development of HGVs has sparked concern about strategic stability because their speed and maneuverability compress decision-making time and challenge existing early warning and defense architectures. A nation targeted by an HGV may have only minutes to determine whether the weapon carries a nuclear or conventional warhead, creating pressure for hasty decisions during a crisis.