Army’s Successful Hypersonic Missile Test Brings Fielding Within Reach

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — The U.S. Army has declared the first complete, end-to-end flight test of its hypersonic missile a success, bringing the initial deployment of the system closer, according to Lt. Gen. Robert Rasch, director of the Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office. Rasch spoke with Defense News at the Space and Missile Defense Symposium.

“We’re very close,” Rasch said. “I’m incredibly proud of the team because this is a significant capability.”

However, Rasch noted that further testing is needed before making any decisions about the future of the ground-launched hypersonic missile.

“We need to ensure this capability is reliable. If we proceed with its implementation, it will be for strategic reasons, and it must perform consistently,” Rasch added.

The first flight test of the hypersonic missile, conducted at the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Hawaii in May, was eagerly anticipated as part of a joint development program between the U.S. Navy and Army. This test followed several previous attempts with the Common Hypersonic Glide Body (C-HGB) that faced failures or cancellations.

Hypersonic weapons, capable of traveling faster than Mach 5 (over 3,836 miles per hour), can maneuver at varying altitudes, making them challenging to detect. The C-HGB includes the weapon’s warhead, guidance system, cabling, and thermal protection shield.

The U.S. is racing to develop hypersonic capabilities and countermeasures, with China and Russia also advancing their own hypersonic weapon programs.

Missile development typically spans around 10 years, and while the fielding of hypersonic missiles has been delayed by over a year, the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon program is still in its fifth year.

The Army has collaborated with Leidos’ Dynetics to build the industrial base for the Common Hypersonic Glide Body, used by both the Army and the Navy. Additionally, the Army has developed launchers, trucks, trailers, and a battle operations center for the weapon system. Lockheed Martin is the integrator for the Army’s hypersonic capability, which will be launched from a mobile truck.

The Army recently delivered the first hypersonic weapon system—minus the live rounds—to the 5th Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, 17th Field Artillery Brigade at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state, ahead of the fiscal 2021 deadline.

Originally, training and receipt of live rounds were scheduled for fall 2023, but delays in testing have pushed this timeline further.

Last year, the Army and Navy had to cancel flight tests in March, October, and November due to issues related to the missile launch process, not the missile itself.

While Rasch did not provide specific timing for future decisions, he emphasized that efforts are underway to ensure the capability will be available to soldiers as soon as testing is complete.