The US Army risks being without a hypersonic LRHW weapon with a Dark Eagle missile in 2023

The U.S. Army had planned to adopt the LRWH (Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon) hypersonic weapon in 2023. Now everything is going on that this is not destined to come true.

Here's What We Know

The last two tests of hypersonic weapons with the C-HGB (Common Hypersonic Glide Body) warhead have been cancelled. In addition, the spring test did not take place either. Naturally, this has a negative impact on the readiness schedule.

The U.S. Army originally planned to have the LRHW in service by the end of fiscal year 2023. Due to the test cancellation, the military service pushed the deadline to the end of the calendar year. But, in all likelihood, that won't happen either. That's the view of Doug Bush (Dough Bush), the chief weapons buyer for the U.S. Army.

The LRHW is a common development of the US Army and Navy. The C-HGB has a warhead, guidance system, cables and shielding. The last two tests of hypersonic weapons were cancelled during the pre-flight verification phase. The Pentagon is still keeping details secret and analysing the problem.

Doug Bush said that after the failure, the hypersonic weapon was disassembled for more detailed study. He said engineers are close to figuring out what the malfunction was. That will help restart testing.

The US Army received the LRWH hypersonic weapon less than two years after the project was launched. It was delivered to the service two days before the end of fiscal year 2021. The LRHW travelled to Washington state to Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM).

Source: Defence News