Photo: U.S. Navy
The Navy and Army have recently tested advanced hypersonic technologies and prototype systems during a High Operational Tempo for Hypersonics flight campaign. The test marks a significant step toward the development of the common hypersonic missile that will be fielded by the services.
Hypersonic weapons are capable systems that can travel at least five times the speed of sound. They offer warfighters massive advantages over existing missile technology in terms of maneuverability, flexibility, and evasion. These capabilities allow them to defeat high-value targets from hundreds or even thousands of miles away in a matter of minutes.
Both the Navy and the Army are developing their own hypersonic weapon systems through separate programs called Conventional Prompt Strike and Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon. The services are getting closer to bringing these weapons' capabilities to the field with the recent flight campaign.
Sandia National Laboratories carried the demonstration from the NASA Wallops Flight Facility, and it involved testing advanced hypersonic weapon systems in a realistic setting.
Three precision sounding rocket launches featuring hypersonic experiments from multiple defense contractors were executed. These deploys were a significant part of the demonstration as they bridge the gap between ground testing and full system flight testing during weapon system development. Not only that, but they also permit frequent flight testing, allowing offensive and defensive hypersonic technology to progress rapidly.
The recent flight campaign represents a major step in the development of the common hypersonic missile, which will be fielded by both the Navy and the Army with separate weapon systems and launchers.
The demonstration also follows earlier program milestones. In August, the U.S. Navy successfully tested its weapon system's second stage solid rocket motor (SRM), only a few months after it conducted a live-fire test of the rocket motor’s first stage. The Navy and Army will continue to work together in order to explore future testing opportunities.
Both the Navy and the Army are developing their own hypersonic weapon systems through separate programs called Conventional Prompt Strike and Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon. The services are getting closer to bringing these weapons' capabilities to the field with the recent flight campaign.
Sandia National Laboratories carried the demonstration from the NASA Wallops Flight Facility, and it involved testing advanced hypersonic weapon systems in a realistic setting.
Three precision sounding rocket launches featuring hypersonic experiments from multiple defense contractors were executed. These deploys were a significant part of the demonstration as they bridge the gap between ground testing and full system flight testing during weapon system development. Not only that, but they also permit frequent flight testing, allowing offensive and defensive hypersonic technology to progress rapidly.
The recent flight campaign represents a major step in the development of the common hypersonic missile, which will be fielded by both the Navy and the Army with separate weapon systems and launchers.
The demonstration also follows earlier program milestones. In August, the U.S. Navy successfully tested its weapon system's second stage solid rocket motor (SRM), only a few months after it conducted a live-fire test of the rocket motor’s first stage. The Navy and Army will continue to work together in order to explore future testing opportunities.
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