Official announcements from the U.S. Army or Department of Defense

U.S. Army, Navy Conduct Second Successful Live-Fire Test of Dark Eagle Hypersonic Missile

Dec 13, 2024, 06:36 AM

The U.S. Army and Navy successfully conducted a test of the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW), known as Dark Eagle, from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. This test marked the second successful end-to-end flight test of the All Up Round (AUR) this year and was the first live-fire event for the system, utilizing a battery operations center and a transporter erector launcher. The LRHW, developed in collaboration between the Army's Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO) and the Navy's Strategic Systems Programs (SSP), aims to provide a capability to strike targets at distances up to 3,000 kilometers, traveling at speeds exceeding Mach 5. Army Secretary Christine Wormuth highlighted the test's significance in demonstrating the system's readiness for deployment. Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro emphasized the importance of this weapon system in maintaining the U.S. as the world's preeminent fighting force. The successful test brings both services closer to operational deployment, with the Army eyeing a fielding decision next year and the Navy planning to deploy on Zumwalt-class destroyers and Virginia-class submarines in the coming years.