In naming the hypersonic weapon, “Dark Eagle,” the Army is emphasizing its speed, stealth, and power; it’s designed to outmaneuver enemy defenses at Mach 5.
The American Bald Eagle has been a prominent feature on the Great Seal of the United States since it was first created in 1782, while the eagle has been closely seen as a symbol of the U.S. Army since its founding.
Thus, it is fitting that on Thursday, the U.S. Army announced that its Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) would be formally designated the “Dark Eagle,” which it was officially known as.
The LRHW saw its successful end-to-end flight test last December at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
“Part of the name pays tribute to the eagle, a master hunter known for its speed, stealth, and agility, due to the LRHW’s combination of velocity, accuracy, maneuverability, survivability, and versatility. In addition, the bald eagle, our national bird, represents independence, strength, and freedom,” the Pentagon explained.
It added that “dark” further evokes the LRHW’s “ability to disintegrate adversary capabilities,” which include potential anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) systems, communication capacity, and long-range fire or other high-payoff/time-critical targets.
“The Dark Eagle brings to mind the power and determination of our country and its Army as it represents the spirit and lethality of the Army and Navy’s hypersonic weapon endeavors,” the Army added.
“Hypersonic weapons will complicate adversaries’ decision calculus, strengthening deterrence,” said Patrick Mason, senior official performing the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology duties.
“Their speed, accuracy, and versatility are befitting its new popular name, Dark Eagle.”
Shedding Some Light on the Dark Eagle
The LRHW is being developed as part of a joint effort between the U.S. Army’s Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office and the U.S. Navy’s Strategic Systems Programs. It calls for a weapon that could rapidly be deployed on land or sea, while it could speed development and result in cost savings for both services.
The Dark Eagle LRHW will be employed by the U.S. Army as a land-based, mobile-launched system, with a range of 1,725 miles, with the ability for the weapons to reach a top speed greater than 3,800 miles per hour. As with other hypersonic missiles, the Dark Eagle can soar to the edge of the Earth’s atmosphere, remaining beyond the range of air and missile defense systems.
It comprises a Common Hypersonic Glide Body (C-HGB) and the U.S. Navy’s 34.5-inch booster.
“The C-HGB is reportedly based on the Alternate Re-Entry System developed by the Army and Sandia National Laboratories. Dynetics, a subsidiary of Leidos, is currently contracted to produce C-HGB prototypes for the Army and Navy. The C-HGB uses a booster rocket motor to accelerate well above hypersonic speeds and then jettisons the expended rocket booster. The C-HGB, which can travel at Mach 5 or higher on its own, is planned to be maneuverable, potentially making it more difficult to detect and intercept,” the Congressional Research Service (CRS) explained in its report to lawmakers.
Writing for The National Interest last year, Alex Hollings further explained, “Dark Eagle is a truck-launched missile system comprised of a two-stage rocket booster developed by Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, designed to carry the Navy-led Common Hypersonic Glide Body (C-HGB) to sufficient speed and altitude. Once aloft, the C-HGB separates from its booster and begins a high-speed glide toward its target, sustaining speeds exceeding Mach 5 while maneuvering. This combination of speed and unpredictability makes intercepting such a weapon all but impossible with most current-state air defense systems.”
The platform can be organized into batteries, including four Transporter Erector Launchers (TELs), mounted on modified M780A4 trailers.
About the Author: Peter Suciu
Peter Suciu has contributed over 3,200 published pieces to more than four dozen magazines and websites over a thirty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. He is based in Michigan. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: [email protected].
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons/ Chandler Coats.
