On August 2, the U.S. Army announced that it had deployed its new Dark Eagle hypersonic missile system for the first time, under the command of units from the 3rd Multi-Domain Task Force (3MDTF) currently stationed in Australia. This development marks the first time this type of weapon has been deployed outside the continental United States, and it took place as part of the Talisman Sabre 25 exercises.
Referring to the deployment of the Dark Eagle system, the Commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Admiral Samuel J. Paparo, stated: “The deployment of the LRHW system (Editor’s note: Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon, as the Dark Eagle is also known) in Australia marks a significant achievement for U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, as it validates the Army’s ability to deploy, position, and exercise command and control (C2) of the system in a forward environment. The exercise demonstrates the Combatant Command’s ability to project power and support the defense of Australia, a key ally in the region.”
Colonel Wade Germann, officer in charge of the 3MDTF, added: “The deployment of the LRHW system in Australia is a major milestone for the Army and demonstrates our ability to rapidly deploy and operate advanced capabilities in support of our allies and partners. This exercise shows our commitment to Australia’s defense and the security of the Indo-Pacific region, and highlights the strength of our collaboration with the Australian Defence Force.”
It is worth recalling that the Dark Eagle systems are strategic ground-based, long-range strike systems developed jointly by Lockheed Martin and Dynetics. To date, each unit is reported to consist of a TEL-type launcher carrying two All-Up-Rounds (AURs) housed in containers. An operational battery would require four of these, along with a command and control center.
Regarding the missiles themselves, each AUR consists of a two-stage booster rocket and a hypersonic glide vehicle known as the Common Hypersonic Glide Body. The first component is responsible for carrying the glide vehicle to optimal altitude and speed, at which point it is released to glide toward its final target — which may be located up to 1,725 miles away — following an erratic trajectory to complicate interception by enemy defenses.
However, it is important to mention the doubts raised by the Pentagon regarding the system’s lethality, based on recent reports from the Office of the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E). These concerns focused on the various issues the system faced during its early missile launch attempts, including up to three failed tests that pointed to the launchers as the primary cause. This is by no means a minor issue, especially considering that the U.S. Navy is reportedly interested in fielding the same missiles adapted for its Zumwalt-class destroyers and Virginia-class submarines starting from Block V.
Cover image: Sgt. Perla Alfaro – U.S. Army
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