The US Army won't receive $41 million worth of Dark Eagle hypersonic missiles until fiscal year 2025 at the earliest

The U.S. Army has again delayed acceptance of the first battery of LRHW (Long Range Hypersonic Weapon) hypersonic weapons. The new date is fiscal year 2025.

Here's What We Know

The military service began forming the first LRWH battery in 2021. It was expected to enter service in 2023. However, plans changed after several failed tests of hypersonic weapons.

The key problem concerns the Erector launcher. It is expected that specialists will be able to fix everything by the end of the current calendar year. LRHW will then be in service in fiscal year 2025, which begins on 1 October 2024 and ends on 30 September 2025.

The LRHW system employs Dark Eagle hypersonic missiles. Their speed is about Mach 5 numbers (6174 km/h) and their range is about 2700 kilometres. The missile, which consists of a hypersonic glider and upper stage, is estimated to cost $41 million.

Source: Defence One