US, China Are in ‘Arms Race’ to Develop Hypersonic Weapons, US Air Force Secretary Says

Frank Kendall, who was then-Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, addresses guests during the United Kingdom F-35 Lightning II Delivery Ceremony at Lockheed Martin in Fort Worth, Texas, on July 19, 2012. Tom Pennington/Getty Images

The United States has some catching up to do in its arms race with China to develop hypersonic weapons, U.S. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said on Nov. 30.

“There is an arms race, not necessarily for increased numbers, but for increased quality,” Kendall told Reuters. “It’s an arms race that has been going on for quite some time. The Chinese have been at it very aggressively.”