US Army Field Tests ‘Dark Eagle’ Hypersonic Missile
The US Army conducted tests of its Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) Battery, known as “Dark Eagle,” during Exercise Resolute Hunter 24-2. This exercise took place from June 25 to 27, 2024, at Naval Air Station Fallon, Nevada.
The exercise involved forces from the Five Eyes alliance (US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand) and was designed to integrate the Dark Eagle system with US forces and allied intelligence and reconnaissance services.
Hypersonic missiles, capable of flying at over five times the speed of sound, are highly sought after by major military powers. Their speed and maneuverability allow them to bypass conventional air defense systems and deliver devastating kinetic impacts even without explosive warheads.
The article notes that while countries like Russia have already deployed hypersonic weapons in combat (in Ukraine), the US has taken a more methodical approach, focusing on perfecting the technology and its integration with existing forces.
The Dark Eagle, or LRHW, is a medium-range surface-to-surface hypersonic missile system being developed by Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman. Key features include:
- Range: Up to 1,875 miles (3,000 km)
- Speed: Maximum of Mach 17
- Primary mission: Suppressing long-range enemy fire and destroying high-value targets
- Deployment: Mobile launcher with two canisters, each containing a rocket booster and a Common-Hypersonic Glide Body (C-HGB)
- Operational structure: Eight-missile battery with four M983 trucks and trailers, each carrying two missiles, plus a command vehicle
The system uses a rocket to boost the glide body to high altitude, from where it glides under control to its target.
Dark Eagle has been under various forms of testing since 2017. The recent exercise demonstrated its ability to integrate with other combat units and command and control systems for extended periods. An end-to-end test was also conducted earlier this year at the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Kauai, Hawaii.
The development and deployment of Dark Eagle represent a significant step in the US military’s hypersonic capabilities. It’s part of a broader effort to maintain technological superiority in an area where other nations have made rapid advancements.
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Captain Jennifer Lee, commander of Bravo Battery, emphasized the exercise’s demonstration of land power’s critical role and the Army’s contribution to joint operations.
The article concludes by highlighting the US approach to hypersonic technology development, drawing a parallel to the Space Race of the 1960s. It suggests that while other nations may rush to deploy such technologies, the US focuses on perfecting them and ensuring their practical integration with existing forces.
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