As part of a restructuring of ongoing programs, the U.S. Navy has announced the cancellation of the development of the new HALO hypersonic anti-ship missile due to its high cost, with affordability now becoming the primary factor for future projects. The news comes as a surprise, considering the development—initiated in 2021—was often described by the Navy as a critical capability that needed to be deployed before 2030, a milestone that will ultimately not be reached.
According to statements collected, it was a U.S. Navy spokesperson who, when consulted by the specialized outlet Naval News, said: “The Navy canceled the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) solicitation for the Hypersonic Air-Launched Offensive Anti-Surface Warfare (HALO) system in the fall of 2024 due to budget constraints that prevent deployment of the new capability within the planned delivery timeline (…) The decision was made after the Navy conducted a thorough analysis, reviewing cost trends and program performance across the munitions industrial base, in comparison with the Navy’s priorities and existing fiscal commitments.”
It’s worth recalling that the Navy had already awarded the initial development phase contracts for the HALO hypersonic anti-ship missile back in 2023, selecting domestic companies Raytheon and Lockheed Martin for the task. Both companies had previously been heavily involved in the Hypersonic Airbreathing Weapon Concept (HAWC) project, which was conducted by DARPA and later transitioned into the U.S. Air Force’s Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile (HACM) program. However, little is known about the progress made in HALO’s development.
Instead of continuing development on HALO, the U.S. Navy will reportedly shift its focus toward acquiring the new Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) AGM-158C to fulfill its future strategic requirements, in partnership with Lockheed Martin. While this system is considered a highly capable, stealthy weapon based on the AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM), it is important to note that it remains a subsonic missile. Additionally, the Navy will rely on its new multi-role SM-6 missiles in their air-launched variant, which provide significant strike capabilities against enemy ships and can also be used against land targets.
It must also be noted that the failed development of the HALO hypersonic missiles, despite the aforementioned alternatives, means the U.S. Navy will currently lack systems comparable to the hypersonic missiles fielded by China and Russia—an illustrative example being Russia’s Zircon missile. Viewed more broadly, the challenges in bringing a hypersonic missile to fruition are also evident in the U.S. Air Force’s AGM-183A Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW) program, as well as in the U.S. Army’s Dark Eagle system, which is eventually expected to be integrated into the arsenal of Zumwalt-class destroyers.
*Images used for illustrative purposes only.
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