“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. The success underscores the rapid progress of hypersonic technology and its readiness for operational deployment.
This marks the second successful end-to-end flight test of the All Up Round (AUR) in 2024 and the first live-fire event for the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon system. The test utilised a Battery Operations Center and a Transporter Erector Launcher, advancing the weapon system’s readiness for field use.
“This test marks an important milestone in the development of one of our most advanced weapons systems,” said Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro. “As we approach the first delivery of this capability to our Army partners, we will continue to press forward to integrate Conventional Prompt Strike into our Navy surface and subsurface ships.”
The information collected during the test will support the Army’s first operational deployment of the common hypersonic AUR and pave the way for Navy sea-based fielding. The weapon is designed to deliver precision strikes with unmatched speed and survivability.
Vice Adm. Johnny R. Wolfe Jr., Director of Navy’s Strategic Systems Programs, praised the collaboration between the Army and Navy. “This test is a demonstration of the successful Navy and Army partnership that has allowed us to develop a transformational hypersonic weapon system that will deliver unmatched capability to meet joint warfighting needs,” he said.
Hypersonic systems, which travel at speeds greater than five times the speed of sound (Mach 5), provide a unique combination of speed, range, manoeuvrability, and altitude. These attributes enable rapid and precise targeting of time-critical and heavily defended objectives.
“The responsiveness, manoeuvrability, 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 collaboration between RCCTO and SSP focuses on rapidly fielding land and sea variants of the hypersonic weapon system. The joint approach allows for a streamlined timeline, cost savings, and enhanced capabilities to counter emerging threats and maintain a decisive battlefield advantage.
Source: U.S. Department of Defense.
