BRITAIN has hit a major milestone in the race for hypersonic supremacy – with a powerful new missile engine tested 233 times and hailed as a game changer for UK defence.
The new air-breathing propulsion system, designed to fire cruise missiles at speeds of over five times the speed of sound, is part of a £1billion push to build a British hypersonic weapon by 2030.
The breakthrough comes as military experts warn a British version of missile shield would be “too prohibitively expensive” to protect the entire UK – leaving cities exposed to attacks from Putin’s rockets.
Defence Secretary said: “We are living in a more dangerous world and it has never been more important for us to innovate and stay ahead of our adversaries, equipping our forces with the technologies of the .
“This milestone moment on hypersonics research, supported by British scientists and British small businesses, demonstrates another crucial area where we are working in lockstep with the to bolster our Armed Forces and strengthen our deterrence.”;
The engine, developed through a joint effort between the Defence ce and Laboratory (Dstl), the US Air Force Research Laboratory, and UK industry players like Gas Dynamics Ltd, was successfully trialled at NASA’s Langley Research Centre in Virginia.
Over six weeks, scientists carried out 233 static tests across a range of supersonic and hypersonic speeds, analysing real-time data to tweak designs and boost performance.
Paul Hollinshead, Chief Executive of Dstl, said: “This milestone represents a critical advancement in the UK’s defence capabilities and reinforces our standing in the AUKUS hypersonic weapon development collaboration.
“The success of these tests highlights the UK’s commitment to technological leadership and innovation in this crucial area.”;
Unlike traditional rockets, the new engine uses air-breathing technology, enabling missiles to fly faster, lower, and further – making them harder to intercept and ideal for hitting distant targets.
The weapon is expected to become a key part of Britain's arsenal under the MOD’s Team Hypersonics (UK) programme, delivering what officials describe as a “transformational capability”; by 2030.
But while Britain races ahead with its next-gen missile tech, questions are mounting over the UK’s ability to defend itself from a hypersonic or cruise missile barrage.
Calls for a British-made Iron Dome – modelled on Israel’s system which recently stopped 200 ballistic missiles with 90% effectiveness – have been met with harsh warnings.
Experts say replicating the dome would cost billions and still fail to provide full coverage for UK towns and cities.
Shadow Armed Forces Minister Mark Francois said: “The UK has nothing remotely comparable to ‘s multi-layered missile defence system, of which Iron Dome is but one part.”;
Military analysts now fear the UK is dangerously exposed.
– with 800 cruise missiles on warships and submarines off the coast of – poses an “acute threat”; to Britain, according to a report by the Council on Geostrategy.
“The missile threat is the most stark it has been since the end of the Cold War,”; the report warns.
Falklands hero Admiral Chris Parry echoed the concern: “The fact is that if war breaks out in the short to medium term, we will be in real trouble as far as defending the UK is concerned.”;
Defence chiefs have been urged to invest in more Sky Sabre batteries, German Gepard anti-aircraft guns, and increase the RAF’s fleet of Wedgetail radar aircraft from three to five.
Currently, Britain has no public air raid shelters and only nine Poseidon P-8 patrol aircraft to protect its coasts – but analysts say at least 15 are needed to fully defend the British Isles.
The Government is also reviewing how to better protect undersea infrastructure after .
Security experts have suggested Brits pack 72-hour survival kits as tensions escalate.
A spokesperson said: “The UK stands fully prepared to defend itself against any threat alongside our allies.
Our military is equipped with a range of advanced capabilities to provide a layered approach to air and missile defence.”;
