Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon

Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon
2020 test launch of a prototype of the Common-Hypersonic Glide Body
Place of origin	United States
Service history
In service	2023 (planned)[1]
Used by	United States Army (planned)[2] United States Navy (planned)
Production history
Manufacturer	Lockheed Martin
Specifications
Mass	16,300 lb (7,400 kg)[1]
Diameter	34.5 in (0.88 m)(reportedly)[3]
Operational range	1725 mi (2775 km)[2]
Maximum speed	Mach 17[4]

The Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) is a surface-to-surface hypersonic missile planned for use by the United States Army. The United States Navy intends to procure a ship/submarine-launched variant of the missile as part of the service's Intermediate-Range Conventional Prompt Strike (IRCPS) program.^[2] The weapon consists of a large rocket booster that carries the unpowered Common-Hypersonic Glide Body (C-HGB) in a nose cone. Once the booster reaches significant altitude and speed, it releases the C-HGB, which glides at hypersonic speeds as it descends towards its target. Dynetics will build the glide vehicle while Lockheed Martin will build the booster as well as assemble the missile and launch equipment.^[5]

The C-HGB has been successfully tested twice, in October 2017 and March 2020.^[6] The missile is planned to enter service with the Army in 2023. The Navy intends to field the weapon aboard its Zumwalt-class destroyers by 2025 and later on its Block V Virginia-class submarines^[7] in 2028; it was intended to also be fielded on guided missile variants of the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines, but funding delays and the boats' impending retirement caused those plans to be scrapped.^[8]

Development and testing[]

Common-Hypersonic Glide Body[]

In 2018, the Navy was designated to lead the design of the Common-Hypersonic Glide Body with input from the Army's Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office.^[9]

Design[]

Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon, 7 Oct 2021

The design of the Common-Hypersonic Glide Body is based on the previously developed Alternate Re-Entry System, which was tested in the early 2010s as part of the Army's Advanced Hypersonic Weapon program.^[10] The Alternate Re-Entry System was itself based on the Sandia Winged Energetic Reentry Vehicle Experiment (SWERVE) prototype developed by Sandia National Laboratories in the 1980s.^[11] Design work is by Sandia while Dynetics constructs prototypes and test units.

Testing[]

The first test of the Intermediate Range Conventional Prompt Strike Flight Experiment-1, was on 30 October 2017. A missile capable of fitting in the launch tube of an Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine flew over 2,000 nautical miles from Hawaii to the Marshall Islands at hypersonic speeds.^[12] The Common-Hypersonic Glide Body was tested in March 2020.^[6]

Boosters[]

The first stage solid rocket motor was tested 27 May 2020^[13]

Both stages of the missile booster as well as a thrust vector control system were tested in 2021.^[14]

On 29 October 2021 the booster rocket for the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon was successfully tested in a static test in Utah; the first stage thrust vector control system control system was included in the test.^[15]

In March of 2021 training with inert missile canisters began.^[1] On 7 October 2021, 17th Field Artillery Brigade of the I Corps received ground equipment for the first operational LRHW battery.^[16]

The US Army hopes to begin live-fire testing of the LRHW sometime in 2022.

Planned service entry[]

The United States Army intends to deploy the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon in an eight missile battery containing four M983 trucks and trailers each holding two missiles in launch canisters alongside a command vehicle.^[6] The LRHW has been named Dark Eagle by the US Army.^[17]

See also[]

• AGM-183 ARRW

References[]