Current US hypersonic weapons projects. (General)

Josh_TN said:
Chances are that happens anyway in the dive to the target. The 2017 test had an average speed of Mach 6, which implies a large part of the flight path actually was sub hypersonic. The terminal dive all but certainly is sub Mach 5 just due to atmospheric density.

I have no information on the guidance mode; I suspect it is INS/GPS only, maybe with a datalink with target updates (though that probably also requires sub hypersonic speeds).
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There was mention that it could be upgraded to kill ships.
 
DOT&E FY24 Report on ARRW:


The Ops Demo, the capstone event of the ATF series, tested the proper function of the ARRW through all phases of flight, with all aspects of employment executed by operational personnel. The Air Force used operational aircrews to complete mission planning, operational maintenance personnel to handle and maintain the ARRW, and operational aircraft armament personnel to upload and downloadt he ARRW to/from a B-52H during the test. To support the Ops Demo, the Air Force provided training to the maintenance personnel and executed a maintenance demonstration.The Air Force is in the final stages of conducting analysis of test data that captured missile and glider flight characteristics as well as warhead performance and comparing the observed results to modeling and simulation (M&S) results. Lethality of the ARRW system will be evaluated based on the test data and various M&S tools developed to support ARRW system capability. The Air Force used engagementlevel and mission-level M&S toassess ARRW survivability in anti access/area-denial environments.No operational cyber assessment was completed. If program elements undergo further development, a cyber assessment must be executed in future developmental iterations.
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Preliminary results indicate that the ARRW weapon system demonstrated sufficient mission capability in a permissive environment. From the combined data set, the Air Force demonstrated the ARRW would be able to satisfy the required launch platform release conditions, downrange and cross-range requirements, and the time to place effects on target requirements that are needed to support the strike mission. Due to the limited number of ATF assets (i.e., AUR vehicles),however, there are insufficient datat o determine weapon accuracy with statistical confidence from current operational testing. Moreover, the Ops Demo indicated that operational personnel could plan a mission and execute a strike on surrogate targets.
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Calphor said:
Not a lot of information in the public arena on that one. Based on what is known about the materials being used, the glide body geometry and the speeds involved, it is unlikely that it has a terminal seeker.
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Isn’t it using the AHW glide vehicle?
 
sferrin said:
Would it fit? Aren't the missiles we think are carrying it much larger?
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The “dark eagle” glide body is the “ Common Hypersonic Glide Body” which is a development of the AHW, which was based on SWERVE, which 40 years ago demonstrated some aspects of terminal (counter-air) seeking, GPS-INS guidance and communication throughout the flight envelope.
 
Isn't the hypersonic glide-body used by the Dark Eagle basically a finned biconic RV?
 
NMaude said:
Isn't the hypersonic glide-body used by the Dark Eagle basically a finned biconic RV?
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Yes, it’s a slightly modernized SWERVE.
SWERVE was the reentry vehicle for the DARPA Ballistic Intercept Missile, a hypersonic air or ground launched air intercept missile intended to be used against cruise missiles and their carriers. The BIM program pioneered (among other things) miniature GPS and GPS-INS guidance. Prior to the program GPS receivers were the size of a large lunchbox or small suitcase. The DARPA program produced a GPS receiver the size of a small pack of cigarettes.

 
quellish said:
The “dark eagle” glide body is the “ Common Hypersonic Glide Body” which is a development of the AHW, which was based on SWERVE, which 40 years ago demonstrated some aspects of terminal (counter-air) seeking, GPS-INS guidance and communication throughout the flight envelope.
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The Navy (IIRC) solicited industry a year or two back for integrating a moving maritime target attack capability on the LRHW/CPS. This was also something it was looking on other hypersonic weapons (tactical boost glide) so its definitely where this could go next as far as future variants.
 
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I posted this slightly more than 1 year ago, very good table from Aviation Week.


 
The list also ends at early 2023. Since then we have had two successful ARRW and 2 successful LRHW/CPS flight tests. There has probably been flight test activity supporting DARPA's MoHAWC that they have not shared details about. Meanwhile, HACM is expected to begin testing this year so there's more to come.
 
Josh_TN said:
The bigger long term danger is being viewed downward at 400+ km, IMO.
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The hypersonic bomber colud fly at the stratosphere and why not making skipping on the high atmosphere

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Josh_TN said:
The bigger long term danger is being viewed downward at 400+ km, IMO.
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Yep, the USSF's orbital 'Foo Fighters'. The capability to detect air targets is coming in 2029. From memory, space-based detection and targeting of hypersonic threats is due 2025-2026, ground targets 2026-2027 and air targets by 2029.
 
I was thinking more along the lines orbital MTI radars for cooler subsonic targets, but IR detection from that angle at high altitude may also be practical. Most any hypersonic aircraft should be easily detectable in IR I imagine, though actually shooting it down probably poses a lot of difficulty.
 
Josh_TN said:
I was thinking more along the lines orbital MTI radars for cooler subsonic targets, but IR detection from that angle at high altitude may also be practical. Most any hypersonic aircraft should be easily detectable in IR I imagine, though actually shooting it down probably poses a lot of difficulty.
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Yes, I referenced that, it's coming in 2029.

2025 - Hypersonic stuff inc. BMs
2026 - Ground targets
2029 - Non-hypersonic air targets (Mach 0-5)

This image explains a bit. Don't ask me to explain 'Deterrence Layer' and 'Advanced Manoeuvring Vehicle' representation though.

1739563181188.png
 
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