Hypersonic Weapons Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Type (Hypersonic Missiles, Hypersonic Glide Vehicles), By Domain (Land, Naval, Airborne), By Solution (Short-range, Medium-range, Long-range), By Region & Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 9.26 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	8.41%
Fastest Growing Segment	Hypersonic Missiles
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 15.03 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Hypersonic Weapons Market will grow from USD 9.26 Billion in 2025 to USD 15.03 Billion by 2031 at a 8.41% CAGR. The Global Hypersonic Weapons Market comprises the development and acquisition of maneuverable projectiles capable of traveling at speeds exceeding Mach 5 to evade interception. Growth in this sector is primarily driven by heightened geopolitical rivalries and the strategic necessity to bypass modern air defense systems that effectively counter traditional ballistic threats. These operational requirements compel nations to invest heavily in high-speed technologies that significantly reduce adversary reaction times and ensure strike capability in contested regions.

One major challenge impeding rapid market expansion is the critical lack of adequate testing infrastructure needed to validate performance under extreme thermal and aerodynamic stress. According to the National Defense Industrial Association, in 2024, the U.S. Air Force requested $517 million to advance its Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile program. This significant investment illustrates the high priority placed on these systems, yet the scarcity of specialized wind tunnels and flight test corridors continues to create bottlenecks that delay development and deployment timelines.

Key Market Drivers

Surging global defense budgets for hypersonic weaponry development serve as the primary catalyst for market expansion. As nations recognize the strategic necessity of high-speed delivery systems, fiscal allocations are increasingly directed toward the research, development, and testing phases to bridge the gap between theoretical designs and operational capability. This financial influx is essential for sustaining the high costs associated with engineering scramjet propulsion and thermal protection materials. According to Air & Space Forces Magazine, March 2024, in the 'Fiscal 2025 Budget Request' report, the U.S. Department of Defense requested $6.9 billion to fund hypersonic missiles and related technologies. Such significant capital injection validates the strategic intent to accelerate the maturity of these systems and secure supply chains against fiscal volatility.

Escalating geopolitical tensions and intensifying strategic arms races concurrently drive the rapid acquisition and deployment of these high-speed assets. As major powers demonstrate advanced strike capabilities, rival nations are compelled to procure comparable systems to maintain credible deterrence and overcome anti-access area-denial architectures. This competitive pressure results in high-value contracts for the production of launcher equipment and all-up-rounds. According to Army Recognition, May 2024, in the 'Lockheed Martin Secures Contract from US Army for Enhanced Hypersonic Weapon System' article, the company was awarded a $756 million contract modification to provide additional battery equipment and software support. Beyond direct weapon production, the broader market infrastructure is expanding to support these initiatives. According to GovCon Wire, November 2024, in the 'Leidos' Dynetics Secures $670M Army Contract for Hypersonic Glide Tech' report, Leidos received a $670.5 million contract to supply common-hypersonic glide bodies, highlighting the robust investment in critical sub-systems.

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Key Market Challenges

The critical lack of adequate testing infrastructure stands as a primary obstacle restricting the growth of the Global Hypersonic Weapons Market. Developing projectiles that travel at speeds exceeding Mach 5 requires rigorous validation under extreme thermal and aerodynamic conditions which cannot be fully replicated by digital simulations. Consequently, manufacturers depend heavily on physical testing in specialized high-speed wind tunnels and flight corridors to verify structural integrity and guidance systems. However, the current inventory of these facilities is aging, limited in number, and incapable of meeting the surging demand for validation slots, leading to severe scheduling backlogs that delay program maturation.

This infrastructure deficit creates a significant bottleneck that prevents rapid technological advancement and fielding. According to the National Defense Industrial Association, in 2024, a comprehensive survey of 1,397 defense industry professionals identified that the domestic industrial base’s productive capacity and modernization infrastructure have significantly atrophied. This systemic weakness forces competing defense programs to vie for infrequent testing opportunities, directly slowing the pace at which hypersonic innovations can transition from experimental prototypes to operational weapons systems ready for deployment in contested theaters.

Key Market Trends

The widespread adoption of additive manufacturing is fundamentally reshaping the production of complex hypersonic components, particularly for scramjet propulsion systems that require intricate internal geometries for thermal management. Manufacturers are increasingly leveraging 3D printing technologies to consolidate multipart assemblies into single-piece structures, thereby reducing weight and mitigating the supply chain constraints associated with traditional casting methods. This shift allows for the rapid prototyping and fielding of propulsion units necessary for sustained high-speed flight. According to 3D Printing Industry, September 2024, in the 'Ursa Major Leading New DOD Project to 3D Print Solid Rocket Motors' report, aerospace firm Aerojet Rocketdyne was awarded a $22 million contract to develop a new 3D-printed hypersonic propulsion system prototype under the Pentagon’s GAMMA-H challenge.

Concurrently, the emergence of dedicated counter-hypersonic defense systems has become a critical market trajectory as nations seek to neutralize the evasive capabilities of glide vehicles. This trend prioritizes the development of advanced interceptors designed to engage threats specifically during the glide phase of flight, bridging the operational gap between endo-atmospheric and exo-atmospheric defense layers. The strategic urgency to field these defensive architectures is driving substantial funding into the modification and maturation of existing interceptor designs. According to Army Recognition, November 2024, in the 'Northrop Grumman Secures Major Funding Boost for US-Japan Glide Phase Interceptor Project' article, the U.S. Department of Defense increased the funding for Northrop Grumman’s Glide Phase Interceptor development to $832.8 million to accelerate the system's design refinement.

Segmental Insights

Based on recent data from trusted market research, the Hypersonic Missiles segment is the fastest-growing category within the Global Hypersonic Weapons Market. This rapid expansion is primarily driven by advancements in scramjet propulsion technology, which enables these weapons to sustain hypersonic speeds while maintaining superior maneuverability at lower altitudes. Unlike other hypersonic variants, cruise missiles offer greater cost-efficiency and easier integration with existing air and naval launch platforms. Consequently, major defense institutions, such as the U.S. Department of Defense, are aggressively prioritizing these systems in their modernization strategies to overcome modern air defense networks and ensure strategic deterrence.

Regional Insights

North America maintains a leading position in the global hypersonic weapons market, primarily due to significant budget allocations by the United States for defense modernization. The U.S. Department of Defense prioritizes the development of these systems to strengthen strategic deterrence, resulting in extensive contracts for established regional manufacturers. This focus creates a robust environment for research, testing, and procurement of hypersonic glide vehicles and cruise missiles. The strong collaboration between government agencies and private industry ensures the continuous advancement of necessary infrastructure and technology, supporting the region's market dominance.

Recent Developments

• In September 2024, RTX and Northrop Grumman successfully completed a static fire test of an advanced long-range solid rocket motor. The trial, conducted at a specialized facility in West Virginia, demonstrated novel wired end-burning technology designed specifically for hypersonic applications. This collaborative effort utilized digital engineering and modeling to validate the propulsion system's design maturity and performance capabilities. The successful test provided critical data intended to support the rapid fielding of future hypersonic weapons and interceptors, ensuring that the propulsion technology could meet the rigorous demands of extended-range engagement and modern defensive kill chains.
• In July 2024, Hypersonix Launch Systems signed a framework contract with the United Kingdom's Ministry of Defence to advance the nation's high-speed flight capabilities. This agreement was established under a broader initiative designed to accelerate the acquisition and development of sovereign hypersonic technologies. Through this collaboration, the company agreed to provide its specialized hypersonic aircraft and scramjet propulsion solutions for testing and demonstration activities. The partnership underscored the increasing importance of international cooperation in the defense sector, allowing the British military to leverage distinct aerospace innovations to enhance their strategic technological readiness and operational reach.
• In April 2024, Lockheed Martin unveiled a new hypersonic missile known as Mako during a major defense exposition. The company presented the weapon as a multi-mission system capable of being carried internally by fifth-generation fighter jets, specifically the F-35, as well as externally on other aircraft. Originally derived from a program for the U.S. Air Force, the missile was adapted to offer versatile high-speed strike options for naval and aerial platforms. The unveiling demonstrated the system's compatibility with existing fleets and its readiness for potential manufacturing, positioning it as a flexible solution for engaging time-sensitive targets in contested environments.
• In March 2024, Castelion announced the successful initial testing of its prototype hypersonic weapon system. This milestone marked the startup's formal entry into the competitive defense sector, challenging established manufacturers with a focus on affordability and rapid production. The test validated the company's proprietary technology, which had previously undergone numerous component trials in secrecy. By developing a low-cost, mass-producible hypersonic platform, the company aimed to address the Pentagon's urgent need for scalable high-speed strike capabilities. This event highlighted the growing role of agile commercial entities in accelerating the development and deployment of advanced hypersonic armaments.

Key Market Players

• Lockheed Martin Corporation
• Northrop Grumman Corporation
• RTX Corporation
• BAE Systems plc
• Thales SA
• Hanwha Corporation
• Brahmos Aerospace Private Limited
• Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd.
• L3Harris Technologies, Inc.
• MBDA

By Type	By Domain	By Solution	By Region
Hypersonic Missiles Hypersonic Glide Vehicles	Land Naval Airborne	Short-range Medium-range Long-range	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Hypersonic Weapons Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Hypersonic Weapons Market, By Type:

• Hypersonic Missiles
• Hypersonic Glide Vehicles

• Hypersonic Weapons Market, By Domain:

• Land
• Naval
• Airborne

• Hypersonic Weapons Market, By Solution:

• Short-range
• Medium-range
• Long-range

• Hypersonic Weapons Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE