Hypersonic missiles that can fly at more than five times the speed of sound (Mach 5) are leading to an arms race between the world's three greatest super-powers. Currently being tested by the US, China and Russia, the weapons are designed to beat regular anti-missile defence systems and can strike anywhere in the world, according to this Daily Mail UK report.

Aircraft and missiles are said to be hypersonic once they exceed speeds of Mach 5 and above, or five times the speed of sound.

This occurs at 1,715 metres per second (3,836mph / 6,174kmh).

'China's hypersonic weapons development outpaces ours, we're falling behind,' said Admiral Harry Harris, who heads the US military's Pacific Command, and is the next US Ambassador to Australia, the Daily Mail UK report stated.

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Image source: X-51A Waverider at AF.mil