hypersonic missile

This is something that is newish to the world and definitely new to us because as part of the AUKUS deal we are about to develop them in cooperation with the US and the UK.  They are also topical because Russia fired its first hypersonic missile into Ukraine. Russia is the first country ever to test this kind of missile in combat.

It is perhaps more properly (but infrequently) called a hypersonic guided missile.  The difference between the hypersonic missile and the ballistic missile is not speed, which you might have thought from the name hypersonic. They can both travel at speeds beyond the speed of sound.  The ballistic missile is launched on a set trajectory but,  at a certain height, it gives in to gravity and falls back to earth, as a ball would do once thrown.  There are not many ways to change its course once it is on its way. The hypersonic missile can  travel low and be guided throughout its total path. It can even change direction along the way.  It travels so fast and low that it escapes radar detection.  This makes it the weapon that every country has to have, even Australia.