Through the publication of a brief statement dating from mid-December, the U.S. Army announced that it has activated another unit that will operate the new Dark Eagle hypersonic missile system, which will form a key part of Washington’s strategy to increase its presence in the Indo-Pacific. This is Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, which is part of the 3rd Multi-Domain Task Force and is gradually moving toward becoming the first unit of its kind to be fully equipped with this weapon system.
The announcement was confirmed following a formal ceremony held at the facilities of the 17th Field Artillery Regiment at Joint Base Lewis–McChord. The event was led by Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey M. Orban, who stated during his speech: “The environment we face is complex and rapidly evolving. The Indo-Pacific is vast, dynamic, and vitally important to global stability. Our allies, partners, and our nation depend on our ability to deter aggression.”
It should be recalled that the Dark Eagle system, also known as the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW), is a hypersonic weapon capable of reaching speeds of up to Mach 5 and striking targets at distances of up to 1,725 miles. It also features the ability to follow an erratic flight path to complicate enemy air defense efforts, after reaching optimal speed and altitude thanks to the two-stage booster rocket that propels the All-Up-Rounds (AUR) housed in the launcher containers.
It is also worth noting that progress in equipping units with the new Dark Eagle systems follows the completion of test deployments by the U.S. Army in Australia, during which long-range strike capabilities were validated. Specifically, this refers to the Talisman Sabre 25 exercises, which also involved personnel from the 3rd Multi-Domain Task Force and marked the first time the LRHW was deployed outside U.S. territory.
At the time, Admiral Samuel J. Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), stated: “The deployment of the LRHW system to 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.”
*Image credit: First Lieutenant Junelle Sweitzer
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