2023-09-07 23:11:02
In early 2023, the US military deployed two hypersonic weapons launchers to Cape Canaveral, Florida. A few months later, the service attempted to launch a Dark Eagle missile, but to no avail.
What we know
The US military has canceled planned tests of hypersonic weapons. The first launch of the Dark Eagle missile is therefore postponed to a later date. The project is called Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRWH). The service had planned to field the hypersonic weapon in late 2023. It is not yet clear whether the delay will affect the set schedule.
The first test launch of the hypersonic Dark Eagle missile was scheduled for September 6, 2023. The test was postponed following pre-launch inspections announced by the office of the US Secretary of Defense.
Despite the failure of the launch, the Pentagon sees positive in it. In particular, the specialists of the department were able to collect data on the operation of ground equipment and software. The information obtained will help to advance the deployment of the LRHW.
In fact, the Pentagon’s statement is identical to the one made in March. At the time, the US military wanted to launch a hypersonic missile for the first time, but failed to do so. Early in the year, the Army moved the LRHW from Washington to Cape Canaveral. Later, in a congressional hearing, US Navy Vice Admiral Johnny Wolfe testified that an attempted launch of Dark Eagle failed to activate the battery.
The US Army is developing hypersonic weapons in conjunction with the US Navy. Land and naval missiles use a single Common-Hysonic Glide Body (C-HGB) warhead. Interestingly, official US military documents state that the Dark Eagle has a speed of Mach 4.9 (6050 km/h), not Mach 5 (6174 km/h).
The US Army’s hypersonic missile has a launch range of 2,775 kilometers. A battery includes four launchers on Oshkosh HEMTT A4 M983A4 chassis, like the Patriot air defense systems. LRHW systems can be moved by rail and by C-17 Globemaster III aircraft.
Source : Florida Today : Florida Today
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