As part of a massive $459 billion spending bill for next year, $100 million has been set aside to develop what is described as the "prompt global strike program".

The new program envisages sending a vehicle into space that could launch a precision-guided warhead anywhere in the world within two hours.

The vehicle, which would fly at hypersonic speeds - which is faster than supersonic - would be reusable and able to return back to Earth. © 2007 Australian Broadcasting Corporation