Introduction

Both the Russian Avangard and the American HTV-2 are advanced hypersonic glide vehicles, but they have some key differences in terms of maneuverability:

Avangard

Highly maneuverable during its descent phase

Capable of performing sharp horizontal and vertical evasive maneuvers

Can operate at lower altitudes, making it difficult for missile defense systems to intercept

Reported to be “invulnerable” to defenses due to its maneuverability, according to Russian officials

HTV-2

Designed for controlled flight within the atmosphere at hypersonic speeds

Demonstrated stable aerodynamically-controlled flight at speeds up to Mach 20

Able to recover from initial shockwave disturbances and continue controlled flight

Experienced challenges with aeroshell degradation during testing, affecting its maneuverability

Avangard has more edge

While both vehicles are designed for hypersonic flight and maneuverability, the Avangard appears to have an edge in terms of evasive capabilities and lower-altitude operation. However, it’s important to note that much of the information about these systems is classified, and public claims may not fully reflect their true capabilities.

The HTV-2’s development focused on advancing understanding of aerodynamic control for hypersonic flight, but it faced significant challenges during testing. In contrast, the Avangard is reported to be operational and deployed by Russia, suggesting it may have overcome some of the hurdles experienced by the HTV-2 program.

Conclusion

Ultimately, while both systems demonstrate advanced hypersonic technology, the Avangard seems to have achieved a higher level of operational capability and maneuverability based on available information.