The U.S. Army has awarded a $756 million contract to Lockheed Martin for the development of additional capabilities for the Long Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW), also known as Dark Eagle. This Mach 5 weapon system is crucial for enhancing the Army’s long-range precision capability, allowing it to engage high-value targets across significant distances. The contract includes LRHW battery equipment, systems and software engineering support, and logistics solutions for the Army to sustain the weapon system currently in use and produce additional batteries for future fielding. Lockheed Martin, as the prime contractor for the hypersonic weapon, first delivered equipment for the LRHW battery to U.S. soldiers in 2021.
The LRHW will introduce a new class of ultrafast and maneuverable long-range hypersonic missiles that can launch from ground mobile platforms. The weapon system is designed to launch the common hypersonic All Up Round (AUR) provided by the U.S. Navy-managed Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) program, and includes the Army canister, a battery operations center, and transporter erector launchers. Hypersonic missiles travel at speeds exceeding Mach 5, using advanced propulsion systems to maintain velocity while gliding through the upper atmosphere. They are mounted with highly maneuverable hypersonic glide vehicle payloads that can easily evade traditional missile defense systems.
The collaboration between the U.S. Army and Lockheed Martin focuses on rapid development and fielding of these advanced capabilities. This new contract comes in response to China’s advancements in hypersonic technology, with plans to expand the reach of their hard-to-target weapons. U.S. intelligence analyst Jeffrey McCormick highlighted China’s progress in developing hypersonic “waverider” technology and thermal materials to boost the weapons’ tolerance to extreme heat. China has been making significant strides in intercontinental hypersonic missiles, as demonstrated by the test-firing of two missiles in 2021 that flew at least partway around the world.
China’s missile programs are comparable to top-tier producers internationally, with the country now having the world’s leading hypersonic arsenal. China’s development of hypersonic capabilities over the past two decades has been driven by intense investment, development, testing, and deliveries to the People’s Liberation Army. This progress poses a significant challenge to the U.S. military’s hypersonic weapons program, as China continues to expand its offensive capabilities in the realm of hypersonic missiles. The collaboration between the U.S. Army and Lockheed Martin is crucial in ensuring the U.S. remains at the forefront of hypersonic technology and maintains a strategic advantage in this rapidly evolving field.
