Hypersonic testing ‘vital’ as US pushes for 2023 missile capability
Two sounding rockets with experimental payloads will inform US Army and US Navy hypersonic missile programmes. (Photo: NASA)
The launch of two test rockets with experimental payloads forms a ‘vital step’ in the development of a common glide vehicle and booster for US Navy and US Army hypersonic missile programmes.
On 26 October USN Strategic Systems Programs (SSP) and the Army Hypersonic Project Office (AHPO) conducted a second successful High Operational Tempo for Hypersonics flight launch. This was carried out by Sandia National Laboratories from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.
The test data will further development of the USN’s Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) and the army Long Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) programmes. The navy stated that CPS and AHPO are both on track to support the first fielding of a hypersonic capability by the army in FY2023.
A sounding rocket was launched containing hypersonic experiments from partners including CPS, the Missile Defense Agency, AHPO, the Joint Hypersonic Transition Office, SNL, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Mitre, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and several defence contractors.
A second sounding rocket launch was due to follow. The payloads are intended to provide data on the performance of materials and systems in a realistic hypersonic environment.
The USN described the test as a ‘vital step in the development of a Navy-designed common hypersonic missile‘. Its Common Hypersonic Glide Body and booster will be used for both CPS and AGPO applications.
One potential launch platform for the navy’s CPS could be the Zumwalt-class destroyer, with a contract awarded earlier this year to Bath Iron Works to integrate vertical launch modules.
You may also like
More from Defence Notes
-
![SOF Week 2026: US military tests AI algorithm to support missions in low-light scenarios]()
SOF Week 2026: US military tests AI algorithm to support missions in low-light scenarios
The US Army and USAF are evaluating an AI-enabled imaging capability from Deepnight designed to enhance low-light and no-light operations across multiple platforms and environments.
-
![Industrial capacity under scrutiny as US approves further $8.6 billion Middle East arms sale]()
Industrial capacity under scrutiny as US approves further $8.6 billion Middle East arms sale
The fast-tracked emergency approvals come as the conflict in the Middle East stretches out into its third month, after Iranian attacks depleted US allies’ missile stockpiles and testing air defence systems.
-
![Intelligence innovation: From data overload to decision advantage (Podcast)]()
Intelligence innovation: From data overload to decision advantage (Podcast)
As militaries face an overwhelming flow of data, the challenge is shifting from collection to delivering fast, actionable insights that drive decision-making. Advances in AI and data integration are helping armed forces move beyond siloed systems to generate real-time intelligence across domains and allies.
-
![SAHA 2026 to Convene the Global Defence Ecosystem]()
SAHA 2026 to Convene the Global Defence Ecosystem
SAHA 2026 brings global defence and aerospace leaders to Istanbul for partnerships, launches, panels and high-value meetings.
-
![Teledyne FLIR adds GPS-denied 3D-mapping capabilities to its CBRN uncrewed platforms]()
Teledyne FLIR adds GPS-denied 3D-mapping capabilities to its CBRN uncrewed platforms
In a partnership with Emesent, Teledyne FLIR will equip its autonomous air, ground and detection systems with the Hovermap LiDAR payload in a move that highlights a broader market shift towards modular architectures, shared payloads and interoperability across platforms.
-
![US seeks 32% boost for missile defence budget with $23 billion earmarked for interceptors]()
US seeks 32% boost for missile defence budget with $23 billion earmarked for interceptors
The Pentagon’s proposed budget for the next fiscal year includes an impressive increase in the procurement of interceptors, with the number of the US Army’s PAC-3 MSE rounds expanding by 683%, the US Navy’s Standard Missile by 365% and the MDA’s SM-3 IIA by more than 1,000%.
