US Air Force Prepares to Test Low-Cost Hypersonic Missile ‘Angry Tortoise’

The United States Air Force (USAF) is pushing forward with an unusual but potentially game-changing experiment in hypersonic missile development. The program, informally known as “Angry Tortoise,” is designed to test whether existing components can be combined into a cheaper, more practical weapon system that still delivers the extreme speed advantages of hypersonics.

The idea behind Angry Tortoise is straightforward but ambitious. Engineers are taking the front section of a ballistic missile target vehicle, normally used to simulate enemy threats during tests, and pairing it with a new liquid-fuel rocket motor. Unlike conventional liquid rocket systems that rely on cryogenic fuels and require delicate handling, this motor uses storable propellants that can be kept at room temperature for extended periods, making it far more suitable for operational deployment. By marrying an already proven aerodynamic body with an advanced propulsion system, the Air Force hopes to avoid the long and costly process of developing a missile entirely from scratch.

The experimental motor, known as Draper, is a 4,000-pound-thrust class engine that has already been fired hundreds of times on the ground. Its hydrogen peroxide and kerosene combination is designed to offer reliable performance without the logistical challenges that normally come with liquid fuels. What makes the program particularly attractive is its potential affordability. Hypersonic projects around the world, including several American efforts, have been plagued by escalating costs and technical setbacks. The Air Force believes Angry Tortoise could serve as a low-cost demonstrator that shows a different, more accessible path forward.

The first flight test of Angry Tortoise is scheduled before the end of this year at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. In its initial configuration, the missile will only reach around Mach 2, partly due to range restrictions. Later versions are expected to push into true hypersonic speeds of Mach 4 or Mach 5, which would place the weapon in the same league as some of the more advanced systems currently being developed by Russia and China. After the New Mexico trials, the Air Force plans to take the project to longer-range testing over the Pacific in 2026.

Behind the unusual nickname lies a serious purpose. The United States has struggled to keep pace with rival nations in the hypersonic race, and previous flagship projects such as the AGM-183 ARRW suffered delays and cancellations. By re-thinking the process, focusing on affordability, and using commercial partnerships, the Air Force hopes Angry Tortoise will provide valuable lessons about how to make hypersonics more practical for widespread use. If successful, this design could help shift the balance of hypersonic weapons from experimental showpieces into operational tools that can be deployed in numbers.

The broader significance is clear. Hypersonic weapons are difficult to detect, track, and intercept, which is why they are considered critical to the next era of modern warfare. If the United States manages to create a cheaper and scalable option, it could dramatically strengthen its strategic posture while forcing adversaries to accelerate their own programs. For now, all eyes are on the first test flights. They will determine whether the “Angry Tortoise” is just a quirky experiment or the beginning of a new chapter in hypersonic missile development.