The US Air Force could reveal for the first time a secret HACM hypersonic cruise missile for the fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighter jet

It looks like the US Air Force has shown pictures of a new hypersonic missile for the first time. It's called the Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile or HACM.

Here's What We Know

The military service at Edwards Base (Edwards) in California held an event to familiarise itself with hypersonic weapons. The images are believed to be of a secret HACM cruise missile. At least what appeared in the photos is consistent with previously announced information about hypersonic weapons.

From the photos it is difficult to determine whether this is a combat version of the cruise missile. It is possible that a mock-up or test version of the HACM was used for hypersonic weapons familiarisation training.

The cruise missile is a continuation of the Hypersonic Airbreathing Weapon Concept (HAWC) programme in which the US Air Force participated. In addition, the HACM uses data from Boeing's HyFly 2 experimental hypersonic aircraft project.

The HACM is a two-stage hypersonic cruise missile. A booster will be able to accelerate it to optimum speed, after which a straight-through air-jet engine mounted in the forward section will activate.

The carrier of the HACM hypersonic missiles will be the fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft.

Source: Edwards AFB