US Navy's next-generation high-speed missile might not be hypersonic
Hypersonic missiles will give the US Navy extended strike capability to hit enemy ships at range before they have a chance to engage its own vessels. The US is making a concerted effort to catch up to Russia and China in the hypersonic missile race. (Photo: Lockheed Martin)
Concepts for new missiles for the US Navy (USN) are being finalised under the Hypersonic Air-Launched Offensive Anti-Surface Weapon (HALO) programme.
HALO is the second part of the wider Offensive Anti-Surface Warfare (OASuW) project that aims to increase naval air power with longer-range surface strike capabilities. Both Lockheed Martin and Raytheon were awarded Phase 1 HALO contracts in March 2023 to develop early design solutions to meet the HALO concept.
According to a spokesperson from the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Precision Strike Weapons programme office (PMA-201) the initial contract activities are 'focussing on system concepts, model-based systems engineering, preliminary design, technology scaling and technology integration efforts'.
The spokesperson told Shephard that in the near term the programme will allocate requirements
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
![DSEI 2025: ‘Future force’ a focus but questions remain on core UK air programmes]()
DSEI 2025: ‘Future force’ a focus but questions remain on core UK air programmes
Focused on shaping the armed forces for the fight ahead, DSEI will hone in on new technology and small and medium enterprises to help lead the sector forward.
-
![India fast-tracks helicopter procurement with dual RFIs for 276 platforms]()
India fast-tracks helicopter procurement with dual RFIs for 276 platforms
India has issued urgent RFIs for more than 270 reconnaissance, surveillance and utility helicopters across its services, signalling a systemic overhaul of rotary-wing capabilities with a renewed emphasis on indigenous production and technology transfer.
-
![US combat drone plan rushes forward with first flight and selection in FY2026]()
US combat drone plan rushes forward with first flight and selection in FY2026
The US Department of Defence (DoD) previously selected Anduril Industries and General Atomics to develop production-representative prototypes under the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) programme. A competitive Increment 1 production decision is expected in FY2026.
-
![How can you own the sky?]()
How can you own the sky?
With an unparalleled range of solutions, RTX is equipping pilots with a distinct advantage, before the mission even begins.
-
![DSEI 2025: Saab unveils new CUAS missile solution to defeat UAS swarms]()
DSEI 2025: Saab unveils new CUAS missile solution to defeat UAS swarms
The Nimbrix missile has been developed and tested over the last year and is Saab’s latest cost-effective answer to help armed forces counteract escalating numbers of uncrewed aerial threats on the battlefield.
