Japan to design group of drones to intercept hypersonic missiles

The Ministry of Defence of Japan is studying a project to design a group of dozens of drones constantly in the air, that will quickly detect the appearance of hypersonic missiles of a potential enemy with a view to their subsequent interception.

The ministry intends to request funds within the state budget for the 2022 financial year, for the implementation of this program, Sankei reports on Thursday.

Currently, the issue of choosing drone models that are supposed to be equipped with special infrared sensors is being worked out with US companies.

The group of drones should operate in the area of the Japan and East China Seas in coordination with the so-called constellation of more than a thousand American small satellites for tracking hypersonic systems. It is supposed to be deployed in low orbits from 300 to 1000 km.