U.S. Navy and Army Advance Hypersonic Missile Testing

The U.S. Navy and Army are intensifying their efforts to develop and deploy hypersonic missile systems, focusing on the Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) program. This initiative aims to provide the U.S. military with the capability to strike high-value, time-sensitive targets with unprecedented speed and precision.

Recent Developments

In December 2024, the Army's Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office, in collaboration with the Navy's Strategic Systems Programs, successfully conducted an end-to-end flight test of a conventional hypersonic missile at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. This test validated the missile's performance across its entire flight trajectory, marking a significant milestone in the CPS program.

System Overview

The CPS is a boost-glide hypersonic weapon system designed for rapid response. It comprises a two-stage solid rocket booster that propels the Common Hypersonic Glide Body (CHGB) to high altitudes. Once released, the CHGB glides at hypersonic speeds exceeding Mach 5, maneuvering to evade defenses and deliver a kinetic energy projectile warhead to its target.

Deployment Platforms

The Navy plans to integrate the CPS system into Zumwalt-class destroyers and Virginia-class submarines, utilizing a cold-gas ejection system for missile launch. Concurrently, the Army's Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW), dubbed "Dark Eagle," will deploy the CPS All-Up Round (AUR) from ground-based transporter-erector-launchers (TEL) using a hot launch ignition system.

Testing Phases

The CPS program is structured into three phases:

1. Rapid Prototyping (Phase 1): This phase includes a series of flight tests to validate the system's design and performance, culminating in fiscal year 2025 (FY25).

2. Rapid Fielding (Phase 2): Focused on integrating the CPS onto Zumwalt-class destroyers, with initial deployment targeted for fiscal year 2027 (FY27).

3. Full Integration (Phase 3): Aimed at comprehensive deployment across both Zumwalt-class destroyers and Virginia-class submarines.

Challenges and Future Plans

In FY24, the program experienced delays due to adjustments in development objectives and delivery schedules. A planned flight test from the Army's TEL was canceled due to a system issue, which has since been addressed. Upcoming tests in early FY25 will include demonstrations from both the Army's TEL and the Navy's ship/submarine-launch canisters to ensure seamless integration across platforms.

Additional Evaluations

The program also encompasses:

• Lethality Testing: Assessing the warhead's effectiveness against representative targets through various tests, including sled trials.

• Cyber Survivability Assessments: Evaluating the system's resilience against cyber threats, with multiple assessments completed and more planned for subsequent phases.

• Performance in Contested Environments: Utilizing modeling, simulation, and hardware-in-the-loop evaluations to ensure effectiveness under combat conditions.

Industry Collaboration

The CPS system is being developed in partnership with leading defense contractors, including Lockheed Martin Space and Dynetics, a subsidiary of Leidos, which is responsible for the Common Hypersonic Glide Body.

Conclusion

The CPS program signifies a substantial advancement in U.S. hypersonic strike capabilities, offering strategic deterrence and rapid precision engagement. As testing progresses, the Navy and Army are committed to refining the system's performance and integration to ensure operational readiness for future deployments.