What Is Dark Eagle Hypersonic Missile U.S. May Use in Iran War?
The U.S. military may deploy the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW), known as Dark Eagle, to the Middle East to enhance its ability to strike distant Iranian targets, according to reports. The move follows a request from U.S. Central Command amid concerns over Iranian missile launchers moving beyond the range of current U.S. systems. While not yet officially confirmed, the potential deployment marks the first operational use of a U.S. hypersonic missile, which can travel over Mach 5 and strike targets up to 1,700 miles away.
- ▪U.S. Central Command requested the deployment of the Dark Eagle hypersonic missile to the Middle East to counter Iranian missile threats.
- ▪The Dark Eagle, officially the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW), can travel at speeds over Mach 5 and has a range of approximately 1,700 miles.
- ▪Each Dark Eagle missile costs at least $15 million, with a full battery system costing around $2.7 billion.
- ▪Lockheed Martin is the primary contractor for the LRHW system, with Sandia National Laboratories and Aerojet Rocketdyne contributing key components.
- ▪The weapon uses a Common-Hypersonic Glide Body (C-HGB) launched via a mobile platform mounted on an M870 trailer towed by a HEMTT truck.
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By Brendan ColeSenior News ReporterShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberSee more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.The U.S. military has requested that the hypersonic weapon Dark Eagle be deployed to the Middle East in a reported development that could give the U.S. longer-range strike options inside Iran. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) made the request for the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW), according to Bloomberg and other outlets that have teased the first operational deployment of America’s hypersonic missile.
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