The US military will soon test a new hypersonic weapon that can hit targets at speeds of over 4,000 miles per hour.

In a statement, the Air Force announced plans to use a B-52 bomber to carry the experimental missile high into the air before firing it at a target.

Following launch, a dummy second stage booster will deploy before disintegrating in the atmosphere, Live Science reports.

According to the Air Force statement, the trial of the Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW) will be carried out by April 4.

The test missile arrived at Edwards Air Force Base in California on March 1 and has been loaded onto a B-52H Stratofortress.

"The BTF-1 test vehicle is complete and is progressing through ground testing to verify its readiness for flight," Brig. Gen. Heath Collins said.

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