First major US hypersonic weapon likely to miss fielding goal

The US Army’s LRHW could be delayed in fielding because of a recent flight cancellation. (US Navy)

The US Department of Defense (DoD) cancelled a flight test scheduled for the US Army’s Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) on 6 September, the Pentagon told reporters on 7 September.

The flight test scheduled at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, was cancelled after undergoing pre-flight checks, DoD Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters. The army declined to confirm if the cancellation would push the army over the deadline it set for itself of having LRHW fielded, but “delivering hypersonic weapons remains a top priority for the department”, Ellen Lovett, army spokesperson, told Janes on 7 September.

“The department was able to successfully collect data on the performance of the ground hardware and software that will inform the continued progress towards fielding offensive hypersonic weapons,” she added.