Threat warning systems for hypersonic aircraft?

[Tuomasn]

I'm looking for information on how radar and missile launch warning would be handled for hypersonic aircraft? For example the ISINGLASS survivability study shows a simple missile avoidance maneuver, but how does the pilot know he's been locked on / shot at in the first place? Since at hypersonic speeds the plasma surrounding the aircraft would presumably be blocking both radio and infrared wavelengths to at least some extent.

The USAF Mach 10 cruiser studies from the 1990s show IR sensors on the aircraft so I presume a launch warning sensor would be more likely than an RWR? Would the latter even be practical at all?

 

[SpaceMonk]

Keep in mind the worrisome Isinglass study you mention was long before the end of the Blackbird era, when time would finally tell that a Mach 4 SAM was unable to ever catch a Mach 3 Blackbird. I'd say there is probably no missile that will catch a hypersonic aircraft. I think it has to do with the time lost during search, find, lock, decision to fire, fire, launch, rocket boost, climb to altitude fighting gravity, and airbreathing start (if any), meanwhile the target vehicle just hit the throttles and cruised on out of reach and out of range (as per many a Blackbird pilot statement). After catching up the next issue is GNC to target. If you've played football or rugby, you know what it means to "get an angle" on someone. Hard to do if they're blazing fast!

 

[SeaslugMk2]

I can’t help thinking that any warning will be on the lines of “Confirmed detection of…never mind.”

SRJ

 

[publiusr]

What is the progress on infrasound arrays?

I doubt an anti-radiation missile would be of much use against arrays of asterisks made of rubber garden hose.

The late Doug ReVelle was able to track meteors.