The DF-17 hypersonic medium range conventional ballistic missile model was exhibited at the Hangzhou Innovation Research Institute of Beihang University in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China on May 10, 2026. (Photo credit: CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images)
Along with vehicle designs, the Next Generation Hypersonic Cruise Missile effort is interested in emerging capabilities and innovative test-and-evaluation technologies.
Soldiers from B Battery (Dark Eagle), 5th Battalion, 3d Field Artillery Regiment (LRFB), give a capabilities brief on the Long Range Hypersonic Weapon System in Northern Territory, Australia, July 9, 2025. The battery participated in Exercise Talisman Sabre 25. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Perla Alfaro)
The Government Accountability Office's annual assessment of major DOD programs details potential risks and delays for three high-profile hypersonic weapons.
Lt. Gen. Heath Collins, director of the Missile Defense Agency prepares before the House Armed Services Subcommittee FY27 missile defense and missile defeat programs and activities hearing in the Rayburn House office Building on April 15, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Luke Johnson/Getty Images)
If the demonstration is successful, Project Maverick could lead MDA to fielding an interim counter-hypersonic weapon until the Glide Phase Interceptor is delivered in the 2030s.
Leidos, GoHypersonic, Special Aerospace Services (Aurex), the Purdue Applied Research Institute, Halo Engines and Kratos have each received other transaction agreements from the Joint Hypersonics Transition Office.
The 3d Multi-Domain Task Force deploys the Long Range Hypersonic Weapon System to Northern Territory, Australia, July 9, 2025, to participate in Exercise Talisman Sabre 25. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Perla Alfaro)
The Army originally planned to field the hypersonic weapon in 2023, but technical issues and flight test delays forced the service to push back its deadline.
US President Donald Trump leaves after announcing the US Navy’s new Golden Fleet initiative, unveiling a new class of warships, at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, on December 22, 2025. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP via Getty Images)
U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Marcella Philips, 2nd Maintenance Group weapons standardization loading standardization crew chief, and Tech Sgt. Darrell Stewart, 307th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron loading standardization crew member, secure the Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon to the B-52H Stratofortress ejector rack, at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, November 2, 2022. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Nicole Ledbetter)
After nearly cancelling the program, Air Force is requesting $387.1 million in fiscal 2026 to start production of the Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW).
Raytheon and Northrop Grumman are developing the next-generation Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile, also known as HACM, for the U.S. Air Force. (Credit: Raytheon)
Program delays will force the Air Force to reduce the number of flight tests it can conduct for the Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile, according to the GAO's…