U.S. Navy Prepares Compact Agile Interceptor for Hypersonic Missile Defense Tests

 The U.S. Navy is gearing up for flight tests of the Compact Agile Interceptor (CAI), a new surface-launched missile designed to enhance missile defense capabilities, especially against hypersonic threats. This compact interceptor aims to increase the number of missiles that can be packed into the Mark 41 Vertical Launch System (VLS) cells, addressing concerns over missile inventory size and VLS cell capacity. As the production of SM-6 and RIM-162 ESSM Block II missiles ramps up into the late 2020s, the Navy is focusing on optimizing space and performance.

The CAI is designed to fit multiple small diameter missiles into one Mark 41 VLS cell while maintaining the ability to intercept complex hypersonic raids. This addition will complement the existing SM-6 Dual I/II and SM-6 Block IB missiles, which are also capable of countering hypersonic threats.

A leading candidate for the CAI program is Lockheed Martin’s Patriot Advanced Capability 3 Missile Segment Enhancement (PAC-3 MSE). This missile, with a diameter of roughly 11.4 inches, has already been tested in a virtualized Aegis environment and has seen action in Ukraine against hypersonic missiles like the Kh-47M2 ‘Kinzhal’ and 3M22 ‘Zircon’. Despite its smaller diameter, Lockheed Martin aims to integrate it into the Navy's systems without major modifications, ruling out dual-packing for now.

According to U.S. Navy budget documents for FY2025, the propulsion concept for the CAI has been selected, and plans are underway to procure 2-3 flight test units this year. Various propulsion options, including highly loaded grain propellants and solid fuel ramjets, are being considered for the program.

While the PAC-3 MSE currently does not meet the dual-packing requirement, modifications to the control surfaces could allow it to fit two missiles per VLS cell, doubling the magazine capacity. Lockheed Martin has expressed interest in investing in the current missile capabilities rather than redesigning it extensively.

The exact propulsion system for the CAI remains undisclosed, but flight tests are scheduled to begin in FY2025, starting in October of this year.

Russia Deploys S-500 Prometheus in Crimea to Safeguard Key Assets

 Russia has reportedly deployed elements of its advanced S-500 air defense system to Crimea following successful Ukrainian strikes on the S-400 missile system. This move raises questions about whether Russia is exposing its still combat-untested system to potential Ukrainian attacks.

Currently, Russia operates only one active S-500 regiment, which consists of two battalions with two air-defense batteries each. The specifics of which elements have been moved are unclear, as such systems have multiple operational components, including command posts, radars, and launchers.

The S-500 may have been deployed to protect the critical Kerch Bridge in Crimea. This bridge, vital for connecting Crimea to mainland Russia, has been a frequent target of Ukrainian attacks. The S-500 is designed to replace the S-400 and the A-235 ABM systems, providing advanced defense against modern aerial threats, including stealth jets, hypersonic missiles, and satellites.

Ukraine continues to target Crimea, complicating Russia's efforts to maintain control. Attacks have focused on air defenses, bridges, rail links, and power supplies, including significant hits on the Kerch Bridge, impacting Russia’s ability to transport heavy military equipment.

The S-500 Prometheus is a significant leap in Russian air defense technology, boasting the ability to engage targets at ranges up to 600 kilometers. Its sophisticated radar system can track and target stealth aircraft, hypersonic missiles, and low-orbit satellites, providing a robust defensive capability.

The S-500 system includes four radar vehicles per battery and uses multiple frequencies to detect stealth aircraft. It can engage 10 targets simultaneously with a response time of three to four seconds, faster than the S-400. Its radar can detect ballistic and airborne threats at remarkable distances, with a range of up to 2,000 kilometers for ballistic targets and 800 kilometers for airborne threats.

This system can launch missiles that reach altitudes up to 200 kilometers, allowing it to intercept ballistic missiles and low-orbit satellites. Despite its capabilities, the S-500's deployment to Crimea, where it is vulnerable to Ukrainian strikes, remains a contentious decision.

Ukraine's strategy of degrading Russian air defenses continues, with significant impacts on S-300 and S-400 batteries already observed. The S-500’s deployment in Crimea marks its first known combat role, with Russia aiming to fully deploy these systems around Moscow by 2025.

Russia’s long-term plans include ringing Moscow with S-500 systems to bolster its defense against Western threats. India and China have shown interest in acquiring the S-500, with potential implications for regional security dynamics.

India, in particular, is monitoring the S-500's performance in Ukraine, considering its potential acquisition to bolster its defense against China. Effective deployment strategies, including dispersion and camouflage, will be crucial to protect such advanced systems from unconventional attacks.

Overall, the S-500 Prometheus represents a significant advancement in air defense technology, but its real-world effectiveness remains to be fully proven in the ongoing conflict dynamics.

US Hypersonic Weapon Program Delayed to 2025 as China and Russia Forge Ahead

 The United States' endeavor to bridge the technological gap with China and Russia in the hypersonic weapons race has hit another roadblock, with the deployment of the Long Range Hypersonic Weapon System (LRHWS) now delayed until fiscal year 2025.

A report released by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) on June 17 reveals that the US Army will not be able to field its first LRHW battery until 2025 due to complications with the launcher and launch sequence. The LRHW, also known as 'Dark Eagle,' is a trailer-launched missile system with an estimated range of over 1,700 miles and a top speed of Mach 17, or 3.6 miles per second.

Despite the setback, the Department of Defense (DoD) is committed to resolving these issues and plans to test the missile and launcher together by the end of fiscal year 2024. The GAO report indicates that the Army's initial goal to field its first LRHW battery by fiscal year 2023 was missed due to integration challenges. Based on current schedules, the complete battery won't be fielded until 2025.

Even with a successful launch, the GAO warns of potential further delays due to concerns about missile performance during flight tests. Officials have indicated that performance issues could necessitate additional postponements. Once a fielding decision is made, the Army aims to have the eight missiles required for a battery ready within 11 months.

This delay is significant given the escalating hypersonic arms race. In September 2023, the Army acknowledged missing its original target of fielding the first battery by the end of fiscal 2023 due to launcher problems. Doug Bush, the head of Army acquisition, noted that a new plan was being developed, but this too has faced challenges.

Since 2021, the LRHW program has experienced multiple test failures, attributed to missile malfunctions and launcher issues. The GAO reported the cancellation of two tests in 2023. Meanwhile, China and Russia have successfully deployed several hypersonic weapons, with the US struggling to keep pace. For example, the US Air Force canceled the AGM-183A Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW) program after several failed tests. Although the USAF is focusing on the Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile (HACM), its deployment is still distant.

In June 2022, the Navy faced a setback when an Intermediate-Range Conventional Prompt Strike (IRCPS) missile test experienced an in-flight anomaly. Despite swift corrective actions, the fielding schedule has slipped. The Navy is now developing the Hypersonic Air-Launched Offensive Anti-Surface Warfare (HALO) program, expected to be ready by 2029.

China, the US's primary adversary, has advanced significantly in hypersonic capabilities, unveiling the DF-27 and an air-launched variant of the YJ-21 in the past year. Russia has already deployed the Kinzhal and Zircon hypersonic weapons in combat. Even nations like Iran and North Korea are alleged to have operational hypersonic weapons, highlighting the urgency for the US to resolve its technological challenges.

The GAO's recent report paints a concerning picture as the 'Dark Eagle' was intended to be the US Army's first hypersonic weapon. Army spokeswoman Ellen Lovett emphasized that for operational security, test timings cannot be disclosed in advance. The continuous delays due to technical issues hamper the US's progress in the hypersonic domain.

The LRHW, part of a collaboration between the Army and Navy, includes four trailer-based launchers, each with two canister missiles transported on M870 trailers, and a command vehicle overseeing operations. The Dark Eagle's design features an unpowered hypersonic boost-glide vehicle launched by a rocket booster to achieve hypersonic speeds.

Lockheed Martin, tasked with integrating the Army’s hypersonic capabilities, is under a $756 million contract to enhance the LRHW. With rival states achieving significant advancements, it is critical for the US to overcome these technical hurdles and deploy its hypersonic weapons soon.

US Conducts Successful First Hypersonic Test Bed Flight Amid Rising Tensions with China and Russia

 The US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) has achieved a significant milestone in its hypersonic program with the successful completion of the first flight of its Hypersonic Test Bed (HTB). Designed as a unified platform for all hypersonic experiments, the HTB aims to advance the US's hypersonic capabilities.

During the HTB-1 test, the vehicle achieved hypersonic flight, allowing for the collection of valuable data from various internal and external experiments. MDA Director Lt. Gen. Heath Collins described the test as a major success, marking the beginning of a cost-effective platform for conducting hypersonic experiments. "HTB-1 represents a significant step forward in hypersonic testing capability," Collins stated.

The MDA highlighted that the HTB will be crucial in accelerating the development and deployment of hypersonic technologies, enhancing the US's ability to conduct frequent and varied tests. This capability is essential for advancing state-of-the-art technologies that can reliably operate in hypersonic flight conditions, according to Collins.

Collaborating with numerous partners, the MDA aims to use data from these tests to develop advanced capabilities for a comprehensive hypersonic defense system. As the leading agency for hypersonic defense, the MDA is working to outpace the threats posed by the hypersonic advancements of Russia and China.

Both Russia and China have developed multiple hypersonic weapons, placing the US in a position to catch up. The MDA's hypersonic test bed joins a growing array of high-speed flight test devices, providing a versatile platform for various hypersonic experiments. This includes contributions from the Defense Innovation Unit's Hypersonic and High-Cadence Airborne Testing Capabilities program and the Test Resource Management Center's Multi-Service Advanced Capability Hypersonic Test Bed.

While the MDA has not disclosed details about the creators of the HTB, the agency announced that advanced missile tracking satellites captured their first images of the hypersonic flight test. Although the departure time from Wallops Island, Virginia, was not revealed, the agency confirmed that initial reports showed successful data collection from the sensors.

Lt. Gen. Collins mentioned that this first calibration flight is a precursor to another test bed launch later this year. The Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensors (HBTSS) satellites, part of the Space Development Agency's constellation, played a crucial role in tracking the hypersonic flight. These sensors are designed to detect and monitor hypersonic weapons traveling at speeds of Mach 5 or greater.

Currently, there are ten missile-tracking satellites in space, shared between the MDA and the Space Development Agency (SDA). Despite the different development projects for these sensors, the HBTSS medium-field-of-view sensor will be integrated into future SDA spacecraft iterations, enhancing the ability to track dim targets and relay data to interceptors.

Eventually, a constellation of 100 satellites will provide global coverage for advanced missile launches. However, the current limited fleet offers restricted coverage, necessitating careful coordination of satellite monitoring opportunities to ensure they are positioned over test venues and hotspots worldwide.

US Navy Prepares for Spring Hypersonic Weapon Test as Army Observes

 The U.S. Navy is gearing up for a significant hypersonic weapon test in the coming spring, a crucial step in a joint development initiative with the U.S. Army, as disclosed by Lt. Gen. Robert Rasch, director of the Army’s Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office.

This impending test involves the evaluation of the Common-Hypersonic Glide Body (C-HGB) by the Navy, followed by an Army test scheduled for summer, focusing on ground-based launchers. Hypersonic weapons, capable of surpassing Mach 5 and maneuvering across various altitudes, pose challenges in detection due to their high speeds.

The upcoming Navy test primarily assesses missile performance, conducted using a test stand devoid of ground support equipment, providing insights into the missile's behavior during different stages of flight. Success in these tests will inform further decisions regarding the development of tactical rounds.

Both the Army and Navy have been diligently working on hypersonic weapon projects, with the Army collaborating with Leidos’ Dynetics to build the industrial base for the hypersonic weapon glide body. Additionally, Lockheed Martin is overseeing the weapon system integration for the Army’s mobile truck-launched capability.

Despite encountering setbacks, such as test delays and technical challenges, both services remain committed to advancing hypersonic capabilities swiftly. The Army has delivered initial hypersonic weapon capabilities to designated units, albeit without the all-up rounds, marking significant progress in the program's development.

Reflecting on the challenges faced, including aborted tests and program delays, Lt. Gen. Rasch emphasized the importance of rigorous developmental testing to ensure program success. Despite the hurdles, the speed of progress in the joint Navy-Army initiative is notable, considering the complexities involved in developing and fielding hypersonic weapons.