Where does NATO fit into the global hypersonic contest? March 15 U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet 2nd Class Eric Hembling uses a Ludwieg tube to measure the pressures, temperatures and flow field of various basic geometric and hypersonic research vehicles at Mach 6. (Joshua Armstrong/U.S. Air Force Academy via AP) STUTTGART, Germany — The global race to build hypersonic capabilities is only getting hotter, as several NATO members — including the United States, France and the U.K. — develop their own technology along with competitors Russia and China. NATO is considering how it might best contribute to the hypersonics cause. It’s unlikely that a cruise missile or glide vehicle will emerge straight out of Brussels in the near future, but it appears senior alliance leaders and analysts migth stitch together the efforts of 30 member nations.