What You Need to Know: The U.S. Army successfully tested the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon, known as "Dark Eagle," a surface-launched hypersonic missile designed to counter threats like China’s anti-access/area denial strategies.
The Details: The test involved the missile flying over 2,000 miles, surpassing its reported operational range of 1,725 miles. Dark Eagle uses a two-stage rocket booster to carry the Common Hypersonic Glide Body (C-HGB), which then glides at speeds exceeding Mach 5.
Bottomline: Despite early challenges, the weapon system is now close to production, with the first operational battery expected by 2025.
The U.S. Army recently completed a successful “end-to-end” flight test of its forthcoming surface-launched hypersonic missile known as the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon, or more ominously, Dark Eagle. The weapon was launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Kauai, HI, and flew in what’s commonly called an “all-up round” configuration, meaning the missile is already in a nearly operational trim.
Dark Eagle is a truck-launched missile system comprised of a two-stage rocket booster developed by Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman designed to carry the Navy-led Common Hypersonic Glide Body (C-HGB)........