US Reveals Key Details of ‘Dark Eagle’ Hypersonic Missile – Can It Close the Gap with Russia?
WASHINGTON D.C. – In a significant development for the US military’s hypersonic weapons program, new details about the ‘Dark Eagle’ (Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon) system were unveiled during a visit by US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to the Redstone Arsenal in Alabama. The revelations, reported by specialized publication TWZ, shed light on the missile’s range, warhead capabilities, and production timeline, as the US seeks to catch up with Russia in the escalating hypersonic arms race. This is a breaking news development with major implications for global security.
Dark Eagle: A Boost-Glide System with Extended Reach
The Dark Eagle utilizes a “boost-glide” architecture, meaning it’s launched by a two-stage solid propellant rocket booster, which then releases a hypersonic glide vehicle (C-HGB). This C-HGB then maneuvers at speeds exceeding Mach 5 (over 6,100 km/h) towards its target on an unpredictable trajectory. This approach is also being adapted for the US Navy’s Intermediate Range Rapid Strike (IRCPS) program, highlighting the strategic importance of this technology.
Previously estimated at 1,725 miles (2,775 km), the range of the Dark Eagle has now been confirmed by Lt. Gen. Francisco Lozano, director of the Hypersonics Technology Directorate, as 3,500 kilometers. This extended range allows the system to potentially strike targets in mainland China from Guam and Tehran from Qatar – a capability that significantly alters the strategic landscape. The system is the Army’s first ground-mobile hypersonic weapon.
Small Warhead, Focused Targeting?
Perhaps the most surprising revelation concerns the warhead. The C-HGB carries a high-explosive fragmentation warhead weighing “less than 30 pounds” (approximately 13.6 kg). This is considerably lighter than many existing missile warheads, raising questions about its destructive power. However, US Army officials maintain that the compact warhead is designed to disable vulnerable targets like radar stations, and can accurately hit an area comparable to a parking lot.
Evergreen Insight: The trend towards smaller, precision-guided warheads reflects a broader shift in modern warfare. Rather than aiming for widespread destruction, the focus is increasingly on neutralizing critical infrastructure and command-and-control systems with pinpoint accuracy. This approach minimizes collateral damage and maximizes strategic impact.
Production and Deployment: Catching Up to Russia
Development of the Dark Eagle has faced delays, but the US Army aims to have a battery deployed by the end of 2025. One battery is already stationed at Fort Lewis, with a second expected early next year. Current production rates stand at one missile launcher per month, with a goal of increasing that to two per month – a total of 24 units annually. This scaling of production is crucial to avoid the Dark Eagle becoming a limited-quantity, high-cost weapon.
The urgency surrounding the Dark Eagle program is underscored by Russia’s advancements in hypersonic technology. Russia has already deployed the ‘Oreshnik’ medium-range hypersonic system in combat and adopted a new hypersonic complex in November 2024. Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov recently informed President Vladimir Putin that the Dark Eagle system, if deployed in Germany, could reach central Russia in as little as six to seven minutes.
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During Hegseth’s visit, the focus extended beyond capabilities to the practicalities of production. The Pentagon is now likely closer to a final decision on declaring full combat readiness for the Dark Eagle, bolstered by the latest technical data and the ongoing efforts to ramp up manufacturing.
The arrival of the first prototype of the M1E3 Abrams tank, developed by General Dynamics Land Systems, alongside the Dark Eagle developments, signals a broader modernization effort within the US Army, aimed at maintaining a technological edge in a rapidly evolving global security environment. Staying ahead in this arms race is paramount, and the Dark Eagle represents a critical step in that direction.
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