Hypersonic missiles have become an increasingly frequent focus of defense and security discussions in recent years and the subject of growing public attention. But what truly sets them apart, beyond just velocity, from existing missile technology? Do they represent a game changer on the strategic landscape, or are they better understood as just an evolutionary step in missile development? What implications do they have from a defense perspective? To address those questions, John Amble is joined on this episode by Tom Karako, director of the Missile Defense Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.