US Army successfully test-fires hypersonic missile

The U.S. Army has successfully test-fired its new hypersonic missile system, overcoming years of development challenges linked to its trailer-based launcher.

The flight test, conducted in collaboration with the U.S. Navy Strategic Systems Programs, marks a significant milestone for the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW).

The test was carried out at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, under the supervision of the Army’s Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO). The event demonstrated the capabilities of the Common Hypersonic Glide Body, which reached hypersonic speeds and engaged targets over extended distances.

“This test builds on several flight tests in which the Common Hypersonic Glide Body achieved hypersonic speed at target distances and demonstrates that we can put this capability in the hands of the warfighter,” said Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth.

This marks the second successful end-to-end flight test of the All-Up Round (AUR) this year and the first live-fire event using the system’s Battery Operations Center and Transporter Erector Launcher. The test paves the way for the initial operational deployment of the hypersonic missile system to Army units, with plans to expand the capability to Navy surface and subsurface platforms.

“This test marks an important milestone in the development of one of our most advanced weapons systems,” noted Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro. “As we approach the first delivery of this capability to our Army partners, we will continue to integrate Conventional Prompt Strike into our Navy surface and subsurface ships.”

The hypersonic weapon system is central to the U.S. National Defense Strategy, providing commanders with unprecedented capabilities to deter adversaries and respond to emerging threats. Hypersonic systems can travel at speeds exceeding Mach 5, combining speed, range, maneuverability, and altitude to penetrate highly defended environments and neutralize time-sensitive targets.

“The responsiveness, maneuverability, and survivability of hypersonic weapons is unmatched by traditional strike capabilities for precision targeting, especially in anti-access/area denial environments,” said Lt. Gen. Robert A. Rasch, Director of Hypersonics, Directed Energy, Space, and Rapid Acquisitions for RCCTO.

The Army’s RCCTO and Navy’s Strategic Systems Programs have worked jointly to field land and sea variants of the hypersonic weapon system, leveraging a common missile design and joint test opportunities to accelerate delivery timelines and reduce costs. The collaboration underscores the Services’ commitment to maintaining a decisive advantage on the battlefield.

“This test is a demonstration of the successful Navy and Army partnership that has allowed us to develop a transformational hypersonic weapon system,” said Vice Adm. Johnny R. Wolfe Jr., Director of Navy Strategic Systems Programs.

The data gathered during the test will be instrumental in the system’s first operational deployment and its integration into broader joint warfighting strategies. As hypersonic weapons become a cornerstone of modern military capabilities, this achievement reflects the U.S. military’s determination to stay ahead of emerging threats and ensure strategic dominance.