hypersonic

Specifically, the White House and the Pentagon are in early talks about building a heavily armored, next-generation ship that could weigh as much as 15,000-20,000 tons and carry more powerful weapons, even potentially hypersonic missiles, in larger numbers than current destroyers and cruisers, the current and former officials said.

Pyongyang, in its first launch since August, said Thursday that it test-fired two short-range hypersonic missiles the prior day.

Kim is approaching the deadline for his five-year weapons plan, first detailed in early 2021, that included hypersonic technology, a solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile and spy satellites.

On Thursday, North Korea said the two hypersonic projectiles were successfully launched the day before, and published photos of the new missiles striking an inland target.

Hypersonic missiles fly at least five times the speed of sound and can be maneuvered before hitting a target, making them difficult to detect.