The joint development of a hypersonic missile system by the U.S. Army and Navy has successfully concluded all necessary tests.
On December 12, the two branches announced that they had completed a successful flight test of the “Common Hypersonic Glide Body” from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. This advanced system has been developed collaboratively for joint operational use, and the first deliveries to the U.S. Army Command are anticipated in the near future.
The U.S. Army is working on integrating the “long-range hypersonic weapon” version onto a mobile land platform, while the U.S. Navy is focused on incorporating the “conventional prompt strike” version, which will be launched from naval vessels. Defense News reports that this significant development paves the way for military commands to begin deploying the much-anticipated system.
U.S. Army Secretary Christine Wormuth emphasized the importance of the test, stating, “This test is based on various flight tests in which the Common Hypersonic Glide Body system reached hypersonic speeds at target distances, demonstrating that we can make this capability available to our forces.” Furthermore, Doug Bush, the U.S. Army Procurement Chief, noted that this test was crucial in confirming the system’s safety and effectiveness, preparing it for future deployment.
According to a press release from the Department of Defense, this test represents the second successful end-to-end flight test conducted in 2024. Notably, it was also the first live-fire assessment of the “Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon” system, utilizing a battery operation center and a carrier launcher.
In light of these developments, U.S. Navy Secretary has commented on the advances being achieved, stating, “This test marks an important milestone in the development of one of our most advanced weapon systems. As we approach the first delivery of this capability to our Army Command partners, we will continue to progress in integrating the conventional prompt strike version into our Navy’s surface and underwater vessels, ensuring we maintain our status as the world’s leading combat power.”
Looking ahead, Defense News reveals that the U.S. Navy plans to implement the conventional prompt strike system on Zumwalt-class destroyers in fiscal year 2025, followed by Virginia-class submarines in fiscal year 2029. Additionally, the unveiling of the U.S.’s new hypersonic missile battery marks a significant step forward in enhancing military capabilities.
