STRATDELA Special Issue #1: Dark Eagle
In this first Special Issue of my STRATDELA newsletter (https://www.getrevue.co/profile/STRATDELA) I will try to gather the bits and pieces about the US Army Long Range Hypersonic Weapon project, which is also known as the Dark Eagle.
You might have seen the regular artwork depicting its battery:
Well, that’s how it is supposed to look like: a battery with 4 launchers with two missiles each, and a command vehicle. But before we (or rather they) get there, many more steps should be taken. Let’s see where the journey is so far.
And here’s probably the most famous piece of infographics about LRHW:
The public record is rather clear: a joint effort between US Army and Navy so far led to some achievements and some delays:
- C-HGB tested in March 2020
- First stage solid fuel booster tested in May 2021
- Second stage solid fuel booster tested in August 2021
- Both stages passed a static test in October 2021
- C-HGB test failed in October 2021 (the test booster failed to launch the glider)
- All-Up-Round failed in June 2022
For a deeper dive, let’s see, who is working on the LRHW project currently. So far we know several actors, spread across the US:
The main government authority is the US Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO), located in Huntsville. Major contractor is Lockheed Martin, and the whole team includes Dynetics, General Atomics, General Dynamics, i3, Moog, Northrop Grumman, Penta Research, Raytheon and Verity Integrated Systems. I will cover some of the work done by some of these companies to try to make better sense of where all this is going.
Huntsville is, obviously, one of the major places for all things aerospace.
One of the crucial players is also based in Huntsville: Dynetics.
Dynetics, and its Technical Solutions part, is in charge of prototyping and manufacturing LRHW launchers and Common Hypersonic Glide Bodies (C-HGB), as well as thermal coating for these gliders. C-HGB builds upon the R&D of the Army AHW (Advanced Hypersonic Weapon) program.
Over the last several years Dynetic built some new facilities, although they do not look as impressive as one could have imagined.
This thing with white roof in their MidCity facility is rather new one:
C-HGB
Unfortunately, shots from the inside show only some initial stages of this place development in 2020, and probably some other facilities are built in the vicinity to support production of 20 C-HGBs under the contract.
…I can only imagine if some high ranking official made a public appearance at a facility at this stage of construction and started talking about future hypersonic weapons…
Still, the fun thing is that in numerous materials by Dynetics the C-HGB looks a bit different than the one shown at public events:
Compare it to the most widely used artwork:
Some people suggest that such base for a thermal coating might be used for enhanced cooling, but nothing citeable (so far). The “Thermal Wrap” itself is a separate project by the way, also ran by Dynetics since 2021, and probably this is something crucial for the mass production stage of the C-HGB, which is, again, to be used by both US Army and Navy…but around late 2027!
Another interesting point about those renders is something that looks like on-board rocket motor for C-HGB, which to some extent might make sense as not to lose too much speed during the glide phase, but at the same time raises a lot of questions regarding its weight, etc.
Important C-HGB partner is General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS), whose facility in Tupelo was a part of HGV-related efforts for decades, and, it seems, was upgraded and extended around 2016–2020.
The Launcher
Now, the LRHW Launcher, which is also a part of Dynetics portfolio, as a primary subcontractor for the Lockheed Martin.
The building above is the one for the C-HGB though, while the launchers are probably assembled in this new part of the Dynetics Technical Solutions complex:
By the way, note that currently the launcher is transported by Oshkosh M983 4-axle trucks, while the renders suggest something akin to 5-axle Oshkosh LVSR, similar to the thing used for DARPA OpFires.
There seems to be plenty of M983 trucks and M870 trailers at the nearby Redstone arsenal, which seems rather convenient.
AUR
The full “missile” assembly is known as the All-Up-Round, or AUR, which includes rocket motors (two stages), C-HGB (and a launch canister in case of the Army). This thing is exactly what will be shared by the Army and the Navy.
But also there’s one more name to remember — MOOG. And these nice people have an interesting picture publicly available:
This might not be the exact render of any of the planned weapons, and even looks kind of like the USAF ARRW thing, but MOOG references their participation in LRHW and CPS, as well as C-HGB, and these small parts and assemblies are crucial for the success of the program.
The booster motors will probably be produced at a new Lockheed Martin facility — the Missile Assembly Building 4 (MAB4), sometimes called ‘digital factory’.
Of course we do not know details about the exact share of responsibilities of contractors and subcontractors, but what we know is that everyone involved is actively cooperating with Sandia.
My guess would be that one of the main capabilities offered by Sandia Labs is their expertise in simulating complex physical and mechanical events, so to minimize the number of actual live fire tests. And we should also not forget about SWERVE, Sandia Winged Energetic Reentry Vehicle, which deserves a separate story (there were even an idea to have a crewed version, which would definitely make one and only Chelomey happy).
JBLM
Now, time to see how the US Army people are training with their new weapon, or rather a mockup of one. It was delivered with a lot of fanfare, so finding the locations was not that hard.
First, the rounds were delivered to the storage at the Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
Likely somewhere around here:
And then the launchers arrived to the hangar near, well, the 5th Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, 17th Field Artillery Brigade:
For connoisseurs, at least some of the LRHW training launch canisters were delivered on Stoughton trailers registered in Michigan:
Some trucks used have Western Star logos, but I am not in export in long-haul trucking, so will not stay on this subject any longer.
I’ve failed to find a location where the Japanese delegation looked at the LRHW launchers at JBLM:
But the Japanese ‘connection’ might turn out as something interesting, should the US domestic efforts in producing next generation of solid fuel boosters experience difficulties, especially given the facts that Japan has their own interest in developing hypersonic weapons, as well as experience in co-developing sophisticated missile technology (SM-3 Blk IIA).
Anyway, now those LRHW launchers at JBLM not only train to roam the nearby forests, but also to get into C-17 for an airlift.
By the way, as I’ve mentioned elsewhere, the 4th Airlift Squadron at JBLM is also the only unit that is qualified for airlifting nuclear weapons.
Probably getting a launcher and a battery operations center in one aircraft, so we’ll see a capability for the ‘rapid infiltration’ operations akin to what Marine Corps routinely delivers with HIMARS aboard C-130. But with a much bigger bang.
Conclusion
Some final remarks. The timeline for the LRHW development seems a bit too…optimistic.
So far we’ve seen separate tests of selected systems and subsystems, and one can hardly imagine that everything will be completed for the IOC to be achieved in about one year. Still, it seems that military designers and industry are becoming too optimistic with the role modern simulation technologies can play (same is true for, e.g. Sarmat heavy ICBM project in Russia) and do not shy away from making explicit claims that they no longer need extensive full scale testing. Let’s wait and see how it goes. Around Q4 2022 Dark Eagle shall fly from TEL, so the waiting will not be that long.
Another important takeaway — I’ve got an impression, the the Pentagon as well as US military industry are trying to get the hypersonic capabilities not only as fast as possible, but also as cheap as possible, repurposing existing technologies and materials, as well as production facilities.
Moreover, the production volumes would be fairly limited, given the roughly estimated capabilities of the factories I’ve mentioned in this piece. Well, for that we have a broad ‘hypersonics-wide’ data point anyway: “initial production capacity of four to six hypersonic missiles per month”.
In the end, just to reiterate, the idea is to field a road-mobile airlift-capable conventional weapon capable of striking targets deep in the adversary territory, eventually even mobile targets.
Once the weapon is fielded and arrives in Europe and/or Asia, the regional balance of military power will experience rather serious shifts. While the capabilities of hypersonic weapons are often overhyped, on a theater level those can play a difference. Of course, a lot depends on actual deployment numbers, but these beasts will immediately become a primary target for pre-emptive strikes, as well as a reason to invest in hypersonic defenses by everyone who believes themselves to be on a receiving end of the Dark Eagle.
Effectively, we will see yet another missile crisis, although this time without explicitly nuclear dimension, but with a nuclear shadow anyway.
There are hardly any existing mechanisms to prevent such crises, including arms races, with a notable, yet relatively weak exception of the Russian ‘moratorium’ initiative on post-INF weapons deployment. Still, it means that we, as a community of experts and scholars from different countries, should continue to think deeply about implications of hypersonic weapons, as well as ways to reduce relevant risks.
In the end, the risks are associated not with the hypersonic weapons per se, but with the doctrines and rhetoric around those. Statements like “no peaceful intentions towards others” or “not intended for their own population” contribute to the #hyperhype, but also raise eyebrows — and raise concerns.
Before saying goodbye for now, I’d emphasize that with this text STRATDELA was not planning to answer all the questions once and for all, as well gather all of the available information. If you have something to add or any suggestions regarding corrections — those will be most welcome, please reach out.
Sources used:
The U.S. Army’s Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW), https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF11991
The U.S. Army’s Mid-Range Capability (MRC) Weapon System, https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF12135/1
Hypersonic Weapons: Background and Issues for Congress, https://sgp.fas.org/crs/weapons/R45811.pdf
Supporting the Weapon Modernization Strategy, https://youtu.be/9A3j4cnmWX0
U.S. Secretary of the Army visits Dynetics Hypersonic integration facility, https://www.dynetics.com/newsroom/news/2020/us-secretary-of-the-army-visits-dynetics-hypersonic-integration-facility, https://youtu.be/jXgY9ZV3BHs
Dynetics to Develop Thermal Wrap for U.S. Army Hypersonic Prototype Weapons, https://www.dynetics.com/newsroom/news/2021/dynetics-to-develop-thermal-wrap-for-us-army-hypersonic-prototype-weapons
Dynetics Technical Solutions wins U.S. Army’s priority strategic hypersonics program, https://www.dynetics.com/newsroom/news/2019/dynetics-technical-solutions-wins-us-armys-priority-strategic-hypersonics-program
Hypersonic Technologies, https://www.dynetics.com/_files/fact-sheets/pdf/K190492_Hypersonics%20Cutsheet-v3.pdf
Common-Hypersonic Glide Body (C-HGB), https://www.dynetics.com/_files/fact-sheets/pdf/K200502_Hypersonics%20Cutsheet.pdf
DESIGN, PROTOTYPE, MANUFACTURE, https://www.dynetics.com/_files/fact-sheets/pdf/K190481_DesignPrototypeManufacture_Brochure.pdf
New Factory Opening Launches Hypersonic Industrial Phase, https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/missile-defense-weapons/new-factory-opening-launches-hypersonic-industrial-phase
Peek inside the MidCity Aerospace Integration Facility where a powerful weapon will soon be manufactured, https://whnt.com/news/peek-inside-the-midcity-aerospace-integration-facility-where-a-powerful-weapon-will-soon-be-manufactured/
Modernizing the Battlefield, https://www.dynetics.com/newsroom/features/2022/modernizing-the-battlefield
GAO-22–105230, WEAPON SYSTEMS ANNUAL ASSESSMENT: Challenges to Fielding Capabilities Faster Persist, https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-22-105230.pdf
Cummings Research Park, https://cummingsresearchpark.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/CRP_Map_091721.pdf
Hypersonics (General Atomics), https://www.ga.com/advanced-weapons-technology/hypersonics
Dynetics Technical Solutions Helps Launch Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon Program, https://www.dynetics.com/newsroom/features/2021/dynetics-technical-solutions-helps-launch-long-range-hypersonic-weapon-program
Army secretary visits Dynetics facility in Huntsville — ‘What you do protects our way of life’, https://yellowhammernews.com/army-secretary-visits-dynetics-facility-in-huntsville-what-you-do-protects-our-way-of-life/
Building the Home of Hypersonic Strike: New Missile Assembly Factory Integrating Digital-First Technology Opens in Courtland, https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/news/features/2021/new-missile-assembly-factory-opens-in-courtland.html
Three for Three: Another Successful Solid Rocket Motor Hypersonics Test For Lockheed Martin, https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/news/features/2021/another-successful-solid-rocket-motor-hypersonics-test.html
Lockheed Martin Delivers Long Range Hypersonic Weapon’s Ground System To U.S. Army, https://news.lockheedmartin.com/news-releases?item=129113
Lockheed Martin opens newest missile assembly building in north Alabama, https://1819news.com/news/item/lockheed-martin-opens-newest-missile-assembly-building-in-north-alabama-10-17-2021
Lockheed Martin Opens New Hypersonic Missile Factory, https://www.airforcemag.com/lockheed-martin-opens-new-hypersonic-missile-factory/
Missile systems, https://www.moog.com/markets/defense/missile-systems-overview.html, https://www.moog.com/content/dam/moog/literature/Space_Defense/Defense_Literature/Missile_Systems_Brochure.pdf
Prototype hypersonic hardware delivered to unit on JBLM, https://www.dvidshub.net/image/6874466/prototype-hypersonic-hardware-delivered-unit-jblm
Hypersonic Delivery, https://www.dvidshub.net/image/6560158/hypersonic-delivery
Long Range Hypersonic Weapon Delivery Ceremony, https://youtu.be/L1D7f7bxsbI
https://twitter.com/amccommander/status/1545129127887474692
New U.S. “Long Range Hypersonic Weapon” Will Fly to War in 2023 on C-17, https://warriormaven.com/future-weapons/long-range-hypersonic-weapon-lrhw
https://twitter.com/masao_dahlgren/status/1425201122831044611?s=19
https://mobile.twitter.com/JGSDF_pr/status/1512968456379191298
Here’s What The Army’s First Ever Operational Hypersonic Missile Unit Will Look Like, https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/28340/heres-what-the-armys-first-ever-operational-hypersonic-missile-unit-will-look-like
Early Maneuverable Reentry Vehicle studies, https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/early-maneuverable-reentry-vehicle-studies.8981/
US Navy tests second-stage rocket motor for hypersonic weapon, https://www.defensenews.com/training-sim/2021/08/26/us-navy-tests-second-stage-rocket-motor-for-hypersonic-weapon/
Latest US hypersonic test fails after ‘anomaly’ during first full flight test, https://edition.cnn.com/2022/06/30/politics/us-hypersonic-missile-test-fails/index.html
Hensel Phelps Turns Over the Lockheed Martin Missile Assembly Building 4, https://www.henselphelps.com/hensel-phelps-turns-over-the-lockheed-martin-missile-assembly-building-4/
Biden to sign Defense Production Act directives targeting hypersonics, https://www.defensenews.com/2022/07/12/biden-to-sign-two-defense-production-act-directives-targeting-hypersonic-industrial-base/
…and Google Earth+Google Maps StreetView, of course:)
PS This remains my favourite LRHW-related picture:
