They are currently being developed by the US, Russia and China, but experts have warned that hypersonic missiles could spark World War 3. A shocking report suggests that the spread of this new class of weapons could jeopardize both small and large nations in a strategic war.
The report recommends that the US, Russia and China should agree not to export their hypersonic missiles to other nations.
The report, by the California-based RAND Corporation looks at the danger of hypersonic missiles - weapons capable of manoeuvring and flying faster than 5,000 kilometres/hour.
This speed – which is five times faster than traditional missiles – allows hypersonic weapons to penetrate most missile defences and compress the timelines for a response by a nation under attack.