Army LRHW/Dark Eagle combat-ready; GAO report confirms delays; Pentagon buys 12,000 cheap hypersonic missiles; Zumwalt range upgrade; B-1B pylon for ARRW; Castelion Blackbeard details; Lockheed GRIZZLY test; LCCM framework agreements; US Navy drone ship for hypersonic launch; Air Force revives fighter-sized hypersonic missile; PrSM contract expansion; Lockheed NXGB low-cost glide missile; Turkey TAYFUN Block-2 enters service; Turkey TAYFUN Block-3 ASBM test; Ursa Major Havoc 3D-printed propulsion; Pakistan evaluates TAYFUN Block 3; joint Army-Navy test; L3Harris solid fuel ramjet test
Key Questions
What is the current status of the US Army's Dark Eagle LRHW system?
The Dark Eagle is considered combat-ready, but a GAO report indicates the first battery is now delayed to FY2026 Q2 and the second to FY2028 due to production issues.
How many cheap hypersonic missiles is the Pentagon planning to buy under the LCCM program?
The Pentagon is acquiring 12,000 low-cost hypersonic missiles through the LCCM initiative to address cost pressures in the hypersonic domain.
What progress has Castelion made with its Blackbeard missile?
Castelion received a $50M SBIR Phase III award for Blackbeard, with a production floor of 500 units per year and the first 50 already ordered.
What new capability was demonstrated by Turkey's TAYFUN Block-3?
Turkey's TAYFUN Block-3 successfully tested an anti-ship ballistic missile variant that demonstrated seeker-guided hypersonic strikes against a moving maritime target.
Is Pakistan showing interest in Turkish hypersonic missiles?
Yes, Pakistan is evaluating the TAYFUN Block-3, signaling potential proliferation of the technology.
What testing milestones were achieved by L3Harris and Ursa Major?
L3Harris tested a next-generation solid fuel ramjet grain for cost reduction, while Ursa Major demonstrated its 3D-printed Havoc propulsion system to support high-rate production.
When is the US Navy's drone ship hypersonic launch demonstration scheduled?
The Navy drone ship demonstration for hypersonic launch is set for 2027.
What joint testing is planned between the Army and Navy for hypersonic weapons?
A joint Army-Navy test of the LRHW/CPS system has been confirmed to advance shared hypersonic capabilities.
Dark Eagle combat-ready but GAO report reveals first battery delayed to FY2026 Q2, second to FY2028 due to production issues; CPS Zumwalt integration delayed 9 months. HACM test campaign slashed to 5 flights with zero schedule margin. Pentagon buying 12,000 cheap hypersonic missiles (LCCM). Castelion Blackbeard $50M SBIR Phase III, 500/yr floor, first 50 ordered. Lockheed NXGB low-cost glide missile responds to cost pressure. Ursa Major's Havoc with 3D-printed propulsion and flexible SRM manufacturing adds to low-cost, high-rate production trend. Turkey TAYFUN Block-2 enters service; now Block-3 ASBM test demonstrated seeker-guided hypersonic anti-ship capability against moving maritime target—significant leap. Navy drone ship demo set for 2027. Air Force revives fighter-sized hypersonic missile. Pakistan evaluating TAYFUN Block 3 (proliferation signal). Joint Army-Navy LRHW/CPS test confirmed. L3Harris tested next-gen solid fuel ramjet grain for cost reduction and scalable production. GAO report confirms first battery delayed to FY2026 Q2, second to FY2028; CPS Zumwalt integration delayed 9 months.