Rapid Fire June 26, 2012: USAF Looking for Hypersonic Weapons

• The US Air Force will hold an industry day tomorrow at its Eglin base in Florida on the High Speed Strike Weapon (HSSW), a research laboratory program that intends to demonstrate “a Mach 5+ (i.e. hypersonic) velocity weapon capable of holding fixed and relocatable targets (i.e. time critical targets) at risk from tactically relevant standoff distances in tactically relevant timelines.”

• India’s ballistic missile defense system will initially cover Delhi and Mumbai. In addition to being a major economic center, Mumbai is also the HQ for India’s west coast fleet.

• Russia is preparing to deliver India’s 7th and last upgraded Kilo Class submarine. With India’s Scorpene submarine program running late, the upgraded Kilos will be the core of India’s dwindling submarine fleet.