U.S. Advances Hypersonic Missile Technology with Successful Sea Launch Test

The United States successfully tested a prototype of a sea-launched hypersonic missile, marking a significant advancement in the nation’s military capabilities. Conducted at Cape Canaveral Spaceport in Florida, the launch used a “mortar launch” method, which involves ejecting the missile from a silo using gas pressure. This approach ensures the missile’s engine activates at a safe distance from the platform, minimizing potential damage to the launching vessel. The missile is equipped with a non-nuclear warhead, underscoring the U.S. commitment to developing conventional hypersonic weaponry.

This test forms part of the Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) program, which aims to create hypersonic systems for the U.S. Navy. According to the U.S. Department of Defense, this launch marked the second successful full flight of the missile in 2024, affirming the reliability of the Common Hypersonic Glide Body (C-HGB), a collaborative development by the Army and Navy. The CPS initiative plans to equip Zumwalt-class destroyers by 2025 and Virginia-class submarines by 2028. Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro emphasized that this test represents “an important milestone in the development of advanced weapons.”

Hypersonic missiles, which can exceed speeds of Mach 5 (over 6,174 kilometers per hour), are a strategic priority for the Pentagon, especially as the U.S. seeks to compete with China’s and Russia’s advancements in this area. Reports indicate that China has deployed the DF-200 hypersonic system, while Russia has utilized the Kinzhal and Avangard missiles since 2020 and 2017, respectively. Unlike these nations, the U.S. focuses on non-nuclear hypersonic systems, which demand high precision and present complex development challenges.

The test included surveillance support from aircraft such as the Navy’s NP-3D and NASA’s high-altitude WB-57F, suggesting a comprehensive data collection effort. While the Pentagon has not disclosed specific details regarding the missile’s range or the test’s objectives, sources like DefenseScoop indicate that the information gathered will expedite the deployment of hypersonic systems.

Developing hypersonic weapons is fraught with technical hurdles, including protecting onboard electronics from extreme temperatures (up to 3,000 °C) and ensuring maneuverability. Experts from the Federation of American Scientists caution that hypersonic weapons could disrupt strategic stability by shortening response times to potential attacks and heightening the risk of escalation. Nonetheless, the U.S. remains committed to advancing this technology, viewing it as essential to national security. Major contractors such as Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and Dynetics are key players in the CPS and Long Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) programs, providing critical integration and manufacturing support.