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Newsweek
4 days ago
- Science
- Newsweek
US Issues Update on New Hypersonic Weapon
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The United States is scheduled to deploy a hypersonic weapon unit by the end of September, the Army said, as the Pentagon races to close the gap in this field with its major adversaries. The Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) is scheduled to deploy its first operational battery by the end of fiscal year 2025, the Army said in a written response to Newsweek. Each LRHW battery consists of four launchers equipped with a total of eight hypersonic missiles—which have a reported range of 1,725 miles—alongside a Battery Operations Center (BOC) and a support vehicle, according to a Congressional Research Service report. Why It Matters A hypersonic weapon can travel at Mach 5 or faster—over five times the speed of sound. Both of the U.S.'s major rivals—Russia and China—as well as regional adversaries such as North Korea and Iran say they have developed and deployed this new class of weapon. In July, the U.S. Army deployed the LRHW outside the continental U.S. for the first time, with two missile launchers participating in Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 in Australia. The U.S. is also enhancing its defense against the hypersonic threat, including upgrades to missile defense radar systems, as this type of weapon can maneuver during flight—unlike ballistic missiles, which follow a predictable trajectory—making it difficult to intercept. What To Know "As of mid‑2025, testing continues, with the Master Test Strategy projecting activity through fiscal year 2026," the U.S. Army told Newsweek regarding the status of the LRHW, also known as Dark Eagle. Fiscal year 2026 runs from October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2026. According to the Congressional Research Service report, the LRHW was originally planned to field its first battery in fiscal year 2023. However, the program faced testing delays and cancellations, which ultimately prevented the Army from meeting its deployment goal. The Army also confirmed to Newsweek that it deployed the LRHW to Australia temporarily. The weapon system was assigned to the Hawaii-based Third Multi-Domain Task Force. The United States Army deploys the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon to Northern Territory, Australia, on July 9. The United States Army deploys the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon to Northern Territory, Australia, on July 9. Sgt. Perla Alfaro/U.S. Army In a news release on Tuesday, U.S. Army Pacific described the task force as having made a "groundbreaking achievement" during the Australia-hosted war game through the LRHW's deployment, which was integrated into constructive mission threads throughout the exercise. The LRHW's "over-the-horizon, long-range communication" capabilities were validated, and the deployment underscored the Army's ability to project power in the Indo-Pacific theater. "The Dark Eagle is truly ready to go," said Captain Jennifer Lee, the commander of the LRHW unit known as Bravo Battery, adding that the exercise demonstrated the weapon system's capabilities and validated the unit's readiness and ability to defend U.S. allies and partners. What People Are Saying U.S. Army Captain Jennifer Lee, the commander of the LRHW unit known as Bravo Battery, said in a news release on Tuesday: "The employment of the Dark Eagle capability during the exercise underscores our commitment to strengthening alliances and enhancing interoperability with our partners in the Indo-Pacific region." U.S. Navy Admiral Samuel J. Paparo, the commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, said in a news release on August 2: "The deployment of the LRHW system to Australia marks a significant achievement for U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, as it validates the Army's ability to deploy, position, and exercise command and control (C2) of the system in a forward environment." What Happens Next It remains to be seen whether the U.S. Army will conduct another overseas deployment before the LRHW fields its first operational battery.
Newsweek
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
US Hits Missile Power Milestone Amid China Threat
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The United States sank a maritime target using a missile during an exercise in Australia, as China continues its rapid naval buildup and expands its warship presence in the Pacific. The Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) was launched from a land-based Mid-Range Capability (MRC) missile system, a type that has been deployed in the Philippines since April 2024. Newsweek has contacted the Chinese defense and foreign ministries for comment via email. Why It Matters The MRC can fire the Tomahawk cruise missile and the SM-6, with ranges of 1,000 and 290 miles, respectively. The latter is also known as "three missiles in one," as it is capable of being used in anti-air warfare, anti-surface warfare, and ballistic missile defense. The MRC's deployment in the Philippines—a U.S. treaty ally involved in territorial disputes with China in the South China Sea—comes as Beijing asserts its sovereignty in the area by maintaining a persistent presence of naval and coast guard vessels. These often result in standoffs and clashes with rival forces—particularly those of the Philippines. Prior to the MRC's live-fire sinking exercise—the first of its kind outside the continental U.S.—China flexed its naval strength through two high-profile missions in the Pacific Ocean earlier this year: a dual aircraft carrier deployment and the circumnavigation of Australia. What To Know The live-fire event took place at an undisclosed location in Australia's Northern Territory on Wednesday as part of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025—held across Australia and involving over 35,000 military personnel from 19 Indo-Pacific, North American and European nations. The United States Army Third Multi-Domain Task Force conducts the first Mid-Range Capability live-fire exercise outside of the continental U.S. in Northern Territory, Australia, on July 16, 2025. The United States Army Third Multi-Domain Task Force conducts the first Mid-Range Capability live-fire exercise outside of the continental U.S. in Northern Territory, Australia, on July 16, 2025. Sgt. Perla Alfaro/U.S. Army The missile successfully sank its target, the U.S. Army Pacific said, without providing further details. The MRC was deployed by the U.S. Army's Third Multi-Domain Task Force, a unit capable of delivering precision strikes against anti-access and area denial networks—referring to efforts that prevent or restrict an enemy from entering and operating within a contested area. The MRC stationed in the Philippines has been assigned to the First Multi-Domain Task Force. The deployment in Australia demonstrated the Third Multi-Domain Task Force's ability to operate and contribute to regional security and stability, according to the U.S. Army Pacific. The live-fire drill marked what the U.S. Army Pacific described as a "significant milestone" in the development of America's land-based maritime and strategic strike capabilities. U.S. Army Colonel Wade Germann, commander of the Third Multi-Domain Task Force, said it represented another significant step forward in the unit's ability to "deploy, integrate, and command and control" advanced land-based maritime strike capabilities. What People Are Saying The U.S. Army Pacific said on Wednesday: "The demonstration highlights the strength of the Australia-U.S. Alliance and the rapidly advancing capability and capacity of [the Third Multi-Domain Task Force] and the 10th Australian Brigade to deploy advanced, land-based maritime strike capabilities in support of regional security and stability." U.S. Army Colonel Wade Germann, commander of the Third Multi-Domain Task Force, said in a press release on Wednesday: "This exercise validated our targeting and [command and control] interoperability with our partner unit the Australian 10th Brigade through the Land Effects Coordination Cell. We have set the stage to develop and deploy combat-credible, multi-domain capabilities forward in support of the Combined and Joint Force." What Happens Next The live-fire exercise provided "valuable insights and lessons learned" that will inform the development and employment of land-based maritime strike capabilities, according to the U.S. Army Pacific. It remains to be seen whether similar exercises will be held in the future.
