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The U.S. Army has introduced the Dark Eagle Long Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW), the first operational hypersonic missile system, aimed at bridging conventional long-range fires and strategic strike capabilities.

Developed under the Department of Defense hypersonic initiative, it includes a launcher mounted on a HEMTT truck, with each carrying two missile canisters. The LRHW features speeds exceeding Mach 5, with an operational range of over 2,700 km, and is designed to engage targets like command centers and missile systems.

Planned deployment in Australia occurs in August 2025, reflecting U.S. strategic positioning in the Indo-Pacific. Lockheed Martin leads system integration, with a total estimated cost of $2.7 billion.