Army LRHW/Dark Eagle $2.7B production/IOC; combat-ready milestone
Key Questions
What is the LRHW or Dark Eagle hypersonic missile program?
The LRHW, also known as Dark Eagle, is the U.S. Army's ground-launched hypersonic weapon system designed for long-range strikes. It has been declared operational and combat-ready under presidential strike authority.
What recent contract was awarded for hypersonic missile production?
Leidos received a $2.7 billion contract for Common Hypersonic Glide Body (CHGB) production to support Army and Navy programs.
What was achieved in the recent joint Army-Navy hypersonic test?
The test validated a Mach 5+ weapon with a 1,725-mile range, confirming the sea-based approach for the joint All-Up Round (AUR) used in both LRHW and Navy CPS.
What is the status of the LRHW/Dark Eagle deployment?
It has been declared operational and combat-ready, with a requested deployment to CENTCOM in the Middle East for potential use against Iran.
How much funding is allocated for the Navy's CPS program?
The Navy's Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) program on Zumwalt-class destroyers has received $1.36 billion in funding.
What other U.S. hypersonic efforts are underway?
These include ARRW Increment 2, Blackbeard production at 500 units per year, and planned F/A-18 tests for Blackbeard in April 2026.
What challenges remain in U.S. hypersonic development?
A persistent capacity crunch continues to affect production and scaling of these advanced systems across services.
When will truck-borne launchers for Dark Eagle be ready?
The Army plans to make Dark Eagle its first operational ground-launched hypersonic system before the end of 2025, with mobile launchers deployable from almost anywhere.
Leidos $2.7B CHGB production; joint Army-Navy AUR (LRHW/CPS) test Mach5+ 1725mi range validated sea-based approach; LRHW/Dark Eagle declared operational/combat-ready under presidential strike authority; CENTCOM Middle East deployment request vs Iran; Navy CPS Zumwalt $1.36B; ARRW Inc2; Blackbeard 500/yr; F/A-18 tests Apr 2026; capacity crunch persists.