U.S. Army and Navy Achieve Milestone in Hypersonic Weapons Development

The U.S. military has marked a significant advancement in its hypersonic weapons program with the successful end-to-end flight test of the All-Up Round (AUR) for the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) system. This test, the second of its kind this year, included the first live-fire event utilizing a Battery Operations Center and a Transporter Erector Launcher, underscoring the readiness of this cutting-edge capability.

“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.

Milestone in Joint Development

The success of this test not only paves the way for the Army's first operational deployment of the hypersonic AUR but also supports the Navy's plans for sea-based fielding of this transformative weapon system.

“This test marks an important milestone in the development of one of our most advanced weapons systems. 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 to help ensure we remain the world’s preeminent fighting force,” said Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro.

Vice Adm. Johnny R. Wolfe Jr., Director of the Navy’s Strategic Systems Programs and lead designer of the common hypersonic missile, emphasized the collaborative effort: “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.”

Advancing National Defense

The joint hypersonic AUR program aligns with the National Defense Strategy, providing combatant commanders with a decisive capability to strengthen integrated deterrence and maintain a competitive edge. Hypersonic weapons, capable of traveling at speeds exceeding Mach 5, offer a unique combination of speed, range, maneuverability, and altitude to effectively neutralize time-critical and heavily defended 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,” noted Lt. Gen. Robert A. Rasch, Director of Hypersonics, Directed Energy, Space, and Rapid Acquisitions for the U.S. Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO).

Accelerating Deployment Through Collaboration

The partnership between the U.S. Army RCCTO and Navy SSP has enabled rapid progress in both land and sea variants of the hypersonic system, meeting critical joint warfighting needs. The use of a common hypersonic missile and joint testing initiatives has expedited the timeline for deployment and reduced costs.

This collaboration ensures the U.S. military stays ahead of emerging threats, maintaining a decisive advantage on the battlefield. As the Army and Navy move closer to operational deployment, the hypersonic weapons program continues to demonstrate its role as a cornerstone of the nation’s defense strategy.