Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon

Last updated

Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW)
LRHWfirstThunderBoltStrike.jpg
Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon deployed to Cape Canaveral for testing
Place of originUnited States
Service history
In service2023–present [1]
Used by United States Army [2]
United States Navy (planned)
Production history
Manufacturer Lockheed Martin
Unit cost$41 million [3] [4]
Specifications
Mass16,300 lb (7,400 kg) [1]
Diameter34.5 in (0.88 m) (reportedly) [5]
Operational
range
1,725 mi (2,776 km) [6] [7]
Maximum speed Mach 5 [8]

The Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW), also known as Dark Eagle [9] is a intermediate-range surface-to-surface boost-glide hypersonic weapon being developed for use by the United States Army. The United States Navy intends to procure a ship/submarine-launched variant of the missile as part of the service's Intermediate-Range Conventional Prompt Strike (IRCPS) program. [2] The weapon consists of a large rocket booster that carries the unpowered Common-Hypersonic Glide Body (C-HGB) in a nose cone. Once the booster reaches significant altitude and speed, it releases the C-HGB, which glides at hypersonic speeds as it descends towards its target. Dynetics will build the hypersonic glide vehicle while Lockheed Martin will build the booster as well as assemble the missile and launch equipment. [10]

Contents

The C-HGB has been successfully tested, in October 2017, March 2020, [11] [12] 28 June 2024, [13] and 12 December 2024. [14] The missile had been planned to enter service with the Army in 2023. [15] The Navy intends to field the weapon aboard its Zumwalt-class destroyers by 2025 [15] and later on its Block V Virginia-class submarines [16] in 2028; it was intended to also be fielded on guided missile variants of the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines, but funding delays and the boats' impending retirement caused those plans to be scrapped. [17]

Development and testing

Common-Hypersonic Glide Body

In 2018, the Navy was designated to lead the design of the Common-Hypersonic Glide Body with input from the Army's Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office. [18]

Design

LRHW on Transporter erector launcher, 3 August 2024, Exercise Bamboo Eagle 24-3, Nellis AFB LRHW on Transporter Erector Launcher, Nellis AFB.png
LRHW on Transporter erector launcher, 3 August 2024, Exercise Bamboo Eagle 24-3, Nellis AFB
A 2020 test launch of a STARS booster carrying a prototype of the Common-Hypersonic Glide Body US DoD, Navy, Army jointly conducted a flight experiment of a common hypersonic glide body from Pacific Missile Range Facility, Hawaii on 19 March 2020.jpg
A 2020 test launch of a STARS booster carrying a prototype of the Common-Hypersonic Glide Body

The design of the Common-Hypersonic Glide Body with kinetic energy projectile warhead [20] is based on the previously developed Alternate Re-Entry System, which was tested in the early 2010s as part of the Army's Advanced Hypersonic Weapon program. [21] [22] The Alternate Re-Entry System was itself based on the Sandia Winged Energetic Reentry Vehicle Experiment (SWERVE) prototype developed by Sandia National Laboratories in the 1980s. [23] Design work is by Sandia while Dynetics constructs prototypes and test units.

Testing

The first test of the Intermediate Range Conventional Prompt Strike Flight Experiment-1, was on 30 October 2017. A missile capable of fitting in the launch tube of an Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine flew over 2,000 nautical miles from Hawaii to the Marshall Islands at hypersonic speeds. [24] The Common-Hypersonic Glide Body was tested in March 2020. [11] [12] LRHW subsystems were tested at Project Convergence 2022 (PC22). [25] [26]

On 28 June 2024, the DoD announced a successful recent end-to-end test of the US Army's Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon all-up round (AUR) and the US Navy's Conventional Prompt Strike. The missile was launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Kauai, Hawaii, [13] landing more than 2000 miles away in the Marshall Islands. [7] A second 2024 test of the land-based launcher [27] fired an all-up round (AUR) from a transporter erector launcher (TEL) using a Battery Operations Center at Cape Canaveral on 12 December 2024, which was successful. [14]

Boosters

The first stage solid rocket motor was tested 27 May 2020. [28]

Both stages of the missile booster as well as a thrust vector control system were tested in 2021. [29] [30]

On 29 October 2021, the booster rocket for the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon was successfully tested in a static test in Utah; the first stage thrust vector control system was included in the test. [31]

In March 2021, training with inert missile canisters began. [1] On 7 October 2021, 17th Field Artillery Brigade of the I Corps received ground equipment for the first operational LRHW battery. [32]

In June 2022 in Hawaii, a launch failure of Conventional Prompt Strike occurred after ignition. [33] The test of a completely assembled CPS weapon, which uses a two-stage booster, [34] failed before ignition of the C-HGB. [35] Conventional Prompt Strike was successfully tested 12 December 2024. [14]

Entry into service

LRHW placed on transporter erector launcher Emplacement of pod on long-range hypersonic weapon transporter erector launcher.jpg
LRHW placed on transporter erector launcher

The United States Army intends to deploy the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon in an eight missile battery containing four M983 trucks and trailers each holding two missiles in launch canisters alongside a command vehicle. [11] [12] The LRHW has been named Dark Eagle by the US Army. [36] [37] [38]

In February 2023, the 5th Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment (5-3 LRFB)—1st MDTF's long-range fires battalion—deployed the LRHW from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Tacoma, Washington to Cape Canaveral, Florida. The first battery of missiles was expected to be deployed by end of September 2023. [39]

On 7 September 2023, a test launch of the LRHW system was canceled due to an unspecified failure of pre-flight checks. [40] [41] [9] United States Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology Douglas R. Bush revealed that the launcher had a "mechanical engineering problem", and that a new plan was in place to correct and test it. [42] [43] [44] An LRHW all-up round was successfully tested sometime prior to 28 June 2024. [13]

On 12 December 2024, the Army and the Navy announced that the Dark Eagle has completed a successful end-to-end flight test in Cape Canaveral Space Station, Florida. [14] [45]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cruise missile</span> Guided missile with precision targeting capabilities and multiple launch platforms

A cruise missile is an unmanned self-propelled guided vehicle that sustains flight through aerodynamic lift for most of its flight path and whose primary mission is to place an ordnance or special payload on a target. Cruise missiles are designed to deliver a large warhead over long distances with high precision. Modern cruise missiles are capable of traveling at high subsonic, supersonic, or hypersonic speeds, are self-navigating, and are able to fly on a non-ballistic, extremely low-altitude trajectory.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System</span> United States Navy and Missile Defense Agency anti-ballistic missile program

The Aegis ballistic missile defense system, also known as Sea-Based Midcourse, is a Missile Defense Agency program under the United States Department of Defense developed to provide missile defense against short and intermediate-range ballistic missiles. The program is part of the United States national missile defense strategy and European NATO missile defense system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States national missile defense</span> Nationwide missile defense program of the United States

National missile defense (NMD) refers to the nationwide antimissile program the United States has had under development since the 1990s. After the renaming in 2002, the term now refers to the entire program, not just the ground-based interceptors and associated facilities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Missile Defense Agency</span> Agency of the US Defense Department

The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is a component of the United States government's Department of Defense responsible for developing a comprehensive defense against ballistic missiles. It had its origins in the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) which was established in 1983 by Ronald Reagan and which was headed by Lt. General James Alan Abrahamson. Under the Strategic Defense Initiative's Innovative Sciences and Technology Office headed by physicist and engineer Dr. James Ionson, the investment was predominantly made in basic research at national laboratories, universities, and in industry. These programs have continued to be key sources of funding for top research scientists in the fields of high-energy physics, advanced materials, nuclear research, supercomputing/computation, and many other critical science and engineering disciplines—funding which indirectly supports other research work by top scientists, and which was most politically viable to fund from appropriations for national defense. It was renamed the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization in 1993, and then renamed the Missile Defense Agency in 2002. The current director is Lieutenant General Heath A. Collins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Field Artillery Branch (United States)</span> Field artillery branch of the U.S. Army

The Field Artillery Branch is the field artillery branch of the United States Army. This branch, alongside the Infantry and Cavalry branches, was formerly considered to be one of the "classic" combat arms branches, but is today included within the "Maneuver, Fires and Effects" (MFE) classification, in accordance with current U.S. Army organizational doctrine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">People's Liberation Army Rocket Force</span> Strategic and tactical missile force of the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army

The People's Liberation Army Rocket Force, formerly the Second Artillery Corps, is the strategic and tactical missile force of the People's Republic of China. The PLARF is the 4th branch of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and controls China's arsenal of land-based ballistic, hypersonic, cruise missiles—both nuclear and conventional. The armed service branch was established on 1 July 1966 and made its first public appearance on 1 October 1984. The headquarters for operations is located at Qinghe, Beijing. The PLARF is under the direct command of the Chinese Communist Party's Central Military Commission (CMC).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hypersonic flight</span> Flight at altitudes lower than 90km (56 mi) and at speeds above Mach 5

Hypersonic flight is flight through the atmosphere below altitudes of about 90 km (56 mi) at speeds greater than Mach 5, a speed where dissociation of air begins to become significant and high heat loads exist. Speeds over Mach 25 have been achieved below the thermosphere as of 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RIM-174 Standard ERAM</span> US surface-to-air missile

The RIM-174 Standard Extended Range Active Missile (ERAM), or Standard Missile 6 (SM-6), is a missile in current production for the United States Navy (USN). It was designed for extended-range anti-air warfare (ER-AAW) purposes, providing capability against fixed and rotary-wing aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, anti-ship cruise missiles in flight, both over sea and land, and terminal ballistic missile defense. It can also be used as a high-speed anti-ship missile. The missile uses the airframe of the earlier SM-2ER Block IV (RIM-156A) missile, adding the active radar homing seeker from the AIM-120C AMRAAM in place of the semi‑active seeker of the previous design. This will improve the capability of the Standard missile against highly agile targets and targets beyond the effective range of the launching vessels' target illumination radars. Initial operating capability was planned for 2013 and was achieved on 27 November 2013. The SM-6 is not meant to replace the SM-2 series of missiles but will serve alongside and provide extended range and increased firepower. It was approved for export in January 2017. An air-to-air variant of the SM-6, known as the AIM-174, is the first dedicated long-range air-to-air missile employed by the USN since the 2004 retirement of the AIM-54 Phoenix. SM-6 can also be fired from the U.S. Army's Typhon missile launcher as part of the Strategic Mid-range Fires System (SMRF).

Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS), formerly called Prompt Global Strike (PGS), is a United States military effort to develop a system that can deliver a precision-guided conventional weapon strike anywhere in the world within one hour, in a similar manner to a nuclear ICBM. Such a weapon would allow the United States to respond far more swiftly to rapidly emerging threats than is possible with conventional forces. A CPS system could also be useful during a nuclear conflict, potentially replacing the use of nuclear weapons against up to 30% of targets. The CPS program encompasses numerous established and emerging technologies, including conventional surface-launched missiles and air- and submarine-launched hypersonic missiles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anti-ship ballistic missile</span> Type of anti-ship weapon

An anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) is a military ballistic missile system designed to hit a warship at sea.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hypersonic Technology Vehicle 2</span> Experimental hypersonic glide vehicle

Hypersonic Technology Vehicle 2 (HTV-2) is an experimental hypersonic glide vehicle developed as part of the DARPA Falcon Project designed to fly in the Mach 20 range. It is a test bed for technologies to provide the United States with the capability to reach any target in the world within one hour using an unmanned hypersonic bomber aircraft.

The DF-ZF is a hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV) developed by the People's Republic of China. It is launched by the DF-17 medium-range ballistic missile. The combined weapon system was likely operational by October 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hypersonic glide vehicle</span> Ballistic missile warhead type

A hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV) is a type of warhead for ballistic missiles that can maneuver and glide at hypersonic speed. It is used in conjunction with ballistic missiles to significantly change their trajectories after launch. Conventional ballistic missiles follow a predictable ballistic trajectory and are vulnerable to interception by the latest anti-ballistic missile (ABM) systems. The in-flight maneuverability of HGVs makes them unpredictable, allowing them to effectively evade air defenses. As of 2022, hypersonic glide vehicles are the subject of an arms race.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">3M22 Zircon</span> Russian hypersonic anti-ship missile

The 3M22 Zircon, also spelled as Tsirkon is a Russian scramjet-powered, nuclear-capable hypersonic cruise missile. Produced by NPO Mashinostroyeniya for the Russian Navy, the missile utilizes the 3S-14 launch platforms on frigates and submarines. The missile has a reported top speed of Mach 9. The weapon was first used during Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Avangard (hypersonic glide vehicle)</span> Russian missile

The Avangard is a Russian hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV). It can be carried as a multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle (MIRV) payload of heavy intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), such as the UR-100UTTKh, R-36M2 and RS-28 Sarmat. It can deliver both nuclear and conventional payloads. The Avangard is reportedly capable of travelling at re-entry speeds.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DF-17</span> MRBM with HGV

The Dongfeng-17, is a Chinese solid-fuelled road-mobile medium-range ballistic missile designed to carry the DF-ZF hypersonic glide vehicle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hypersonic weapon</span> High-speed missiles and projectiles

A hypersonic weapon is a weapon capable of travelling at hypersonic speed, defined as between 5 and 25 times the speed of sound.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AGM-183 ARRW</span> U.S. Air Force prototype missile

The AGM-183 ARRW is a hypersonic air-to-ground ballistic missile planned for use by the United States Air Force. Developed by Lockheed Martin, the boost-glide vehicle is propelled to a maximum speed of more than Mach 5 by a rocket motor before gliding toward its target. The program was cancelled in March 2023 after multiple failed tests. The program, however, continued despite the cancellation and was announced to still be in development following additional, undisclosed testing. However in 2024 it was announced that in the fiscal year 2025 budget, no funding would be provided for procurement or further research and development.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hwasong-8</span> Reported North Korean missile

The Hwasong-8 is a North Korean missile claimed to be mounting a hypersonic glide vehicle, which was first tested on 14 September 2021. The first launch occurred in September, a month with a total of four missile launches. As it is supposedly a hypersonic missile, the higher speed would allow it to reach its target in shorter time and additional maneuverability would give it a better chance at defeating missile defenses. Japanese tracking data from a test launch suggest it is a hypersonic ballistic missile, as North Korea described it.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Long Range – Anti Ship Missile (India)</span> Indian long range anti-ship hypersonic missile

The Long Range – Anti Ship Missile (LRAShM) is a member of the family of hypersonic missiles being developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the Indian Armed Forces.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Manuel, Rojoef (3 April 2023). "US Army Deploys First Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon in Florida". The Defense Post. Archived from the original on 3 October 2023.
  2. 1 2 Parlato, Richard (30 March 2023). "1st Multi-Domain Task Force deploys the Army's first Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon system". U.S. Army. Archived from the original on 3 December 2023.
  3. ↑ CBO Estimates $15-18 Million Cost Per ARRW Hypersonic Missile. Air & Space Forces Magazine. 1 February 2023.
  4. ↑ Tirpak, John A. (1 February 2023). "CBO Estimates $15-18 Million Cost Per ARRW Hypersonic Missile". Air & Space Forces Magazine. Archived from the original on 4 January 2024.
  5. ↑ Trevithick, Joseph (19 March 2021). "Navy Wants Triple-Packed Hypersonic Missile Modules On Its Stealthy Zumwalt Destroyers". The Drive. Archived from the original on 12 December 2023.
  6. ↑ Sydney J. Freedberg Jr. (12 May 2021) Army Discloses Hypersonic LRHW Range Of 1,725 Miles; Watch Out China Ranges for: ERCA, GMLR-ER, PRSM, MRC, LRHW
  7. 1 2 Andrew Feickert, Congressional Research Service (updated 2 Jul 2024) "The U.S. Army’s Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW):Dark Eagle" Report IF11991
  8. ↑ Marino, Cheryl (10 July 2024). "Two new missile programs deliver enhanced capabilities to thwart emerging threats and bolster joint force effectiveness". US Army.
  9. 1 2 Weinberger, Sharon (18 September 2023). "Hypersonic Missiles Are Game-Changers, and America Doesn't Have Them". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on 27 October 2023.
  10. ↑ Roblin, Sebastien (30 April 2020). "The Pentagon Plans to Deploy an Arsenal of Hypersonic Weapons in the 2020s". Forbes. Archived from the original on 20 October 2023. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
  11. 1 2 3 Freedberg Jr, Sydney J. (20 March 2020). "Hypersonics: Army, Navy Test Common Glide Body". Breaking Defense. Archived from the original on 25 March 2023.
  12. 1 2 3 "Department of Defense tests hypersonic glide body". U.S. Army. 20 March 2020. Archived from the original on 17 April 2023.
  13. 1 2 3 (28 Jun 2024) "DOD Completes Flight Test of Hypersonic Missile" US Department of Defense
  14. 1 2 3 4 "Army and Navy Successfully Test Conventional Hypersonic Missile". U.S. Department of Defense. Retrieved 14 December 2024.
  15. 1 2 Megan Eckstein (17 Feb 2023) Navy awards Lockheed Martin $1.2B contract for hypersonic missiles
  16. ↑ LaGrone, Sam (28 April 2021). "CNO: Hypersonic Weapons at Sea to Premiere on Zumwalt Destroyers in 2025". USNI News. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
  17. ↑ Hypersonic Weapons on Track to Deploy on Attack Submarines in 2028. USNI News . 18 November 2021.
  18. ↑ Thurgood, Neil (4 September 2019). "Hypersonics by 2023". U.S. Army. Archived from the original on 5 September 2023. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
  19. ↑ Capt. Ryan DeBooy (30 Aug 2024) US Army's Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon Battery integrates in Exercise Bamboo Eagle
  20. ↑ House Armed Services Committee (12 Mar 2024) Weber-Rumford Statement
  21. ↑ Sayler, Kelley M. (11 July 2019). "Hypersonic Weapons: Background and Issues for Congress" (PDF). Congressional Research Service. Archived (PDF) from the original on 10 October 2023.
  22. ↑ Sayler, Kelley M. (13 February 2023). "Hypersonic Weapons: Background and Issues for Congress" (PDF). Congressional Research Service. Archived (PDF) from the original on 6 January 2024.
  23. ↑ Threvithick, Joseph (3 June 2019). "Here's What The Army's First Ever Operational Hypersonic Missile Unit Will Look Like". The Drive. Archived from the original on 20 October 2023. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
  24. ↑ "Conventional Prompt Global Strike and Long-Range Ballistic Missiles: Background and Issues". Congressional Research Service. 8 January 2019. Archived from the original on 16 April 2022. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
  25. ↑ Tucker, Patrick (21 October 2022). "The Military's Network Warfare Experiment Scaled Up This Year". Defense One. Archived from the original on 9 October 2023.
  26. ↑ Eckstein, Megan (2 November 2022). "US Navy touts hypersonic missile progress ahead of 2025 fielding". Defense News. Archived from the original on 9 January 2024.
  27. ↑ Judson, Jen. (6 Sep 2024) "US Army aiming for one more hypersonic weapon test by year’s end"
  28. ↑ Eckstein, Megan (27 May 2021). "US Navy conducts first live-fire test of hypersonic missile motor". Defense News. Archived from the original on 1 June 2021.
  29. ↑ Katz, Justin (26 August 2021). "Navy Successfully Tests Solid Rocket Motor For Hypersonic Weapon". Breaking Defense. Archived from the original on 6 January 2024.
  30. ↑ Judson, Jen (26 August 2021). "US Navy tests second-stage rocket motor for hypersonic weapon". Defense News. Archived from the original on 29 August 2021.
  31. ↑ Stone, Mike (29 October 2021). "U.S. successfully tests hypersonic booster motor in Utah". Reuters. Archived from the original on 29 October 2021.
  32. ↑ "Army delivers first hypersonics ground equipment". U.S. Army. 7 October 2021. Archived from the original on 20 October 2023. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  33. ↑ Herskovitz, Jon; Capaccio, Tony (29 June 2022). "Hypersonic missile test fails off Hawaii in fresh setback for program". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Bloomberg News. Archived from the original on 20 October 2023.
  34. ↑ Cole, Brendan (1 July 2022). "Russia Reacts to U.S. Hypersonic Missile Failure". Newsweek. Archived from the original on 20 October 2023.
  35. ↑ Liebermann, Oren (30 June 2022). "Latest US hypersonic test fails after 'anomaly' during first full flight test". CNN. Archived from the original on 24 October 2023. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  36. ↑ Hitchens, Theresa (11 August 2021). "'Confident' Of 2023 Fielding Goal, Army Dubs Hypersonic Weapon 'Dark Eagle'". Breaking Defense. Archived from the original on 5 October 2023.
  37. ↑ Rogoway, Tyler (5 March 2023). "Mysterious Launch Out Of Cape Canaveral Appears Imminent (Updated)". The Drive. Archived from the original on 12 September 2023.
  38. ↑ Kelly, Emre (6 March 2023). "Department of Defense scrubs hypersonic missile test at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station". Florida Today. Archived from the original on 26 March 2023.
  39. ↑ Parlato, Richard (30 March 2023). "1st Multi-Domain Task Force Deploys the Army's First Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon System". U.S. Army. Archived from the original on 3 December 2023. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
  40. ↑ Capaccio, Anthony (7 September 2023). "US Army cancels flight test of Long Range Hypersonic Weapon". Bloomberg. Archived from the original on 7 September 2023. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  41. ↑ Capaccio, Anthony (14 September 2023). "US Army Faces Facts: Its Hypersonic Weapon To Miss a Deadline". Bloomberg. Archived from the original on 14 September 2023.
  42. ↑ Roque, Ashley (3 December 2023). "Army has a revised hypersonic test plan to address launcher 'problem': Official". Breaking Defense. Archived from the original on 27 December 2023.
  43. ↑ Harper, Jon (7 November 2023). "Army anticipates another delay in fielding Dark Eagle hypersonic weapon after detecting 'problem'". DefenseScoop. Archived from the original on 16 December 2023.
  44. ↑ Harper, Jon (3 December 2023). "Army hopes to field Dark Eagle hypersonic missile in summer 2024 after resolving problems with launcher". DefenseScoop. Archived from the original on 16 December 2023.
  45. ↑ Easley, Mikala (13 December 2024). "Army, Navy complete highly anticipated hypersonic missile test". DefenseScoop. Retrieved 14 December 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.