@gzreel: What you're seeing happens in seconds. Hypersonic missiles travel at speeds above Mach 5, which is more than five times the speed of sound. At that velocity, they can cover over a mile every second, leaving almost no time for detection or response. But speed alone is not what makes them significant. Unlike traditional ballistic missiles, many hypersonic systems are designed to maneuver during flight. This makes their trajectory harder to predict and more difficult to intercept with conventional defense systems. As they move through the atmosphere, the air compresses and heats up around the vehicle, often creating a visible glow or plasma trail. By the time the impact is visible, the event has already occurred. This combination of extreme speed and maneuverability is why hypersonic technology is becoming a major focus in modern aerospace and defense development. Source: DARPA Hypersonic Weapons Research Follow @gzreel for more!