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U.S. Army Delivers Hypersonic Hardware

Delivery allows training and creation of doctrine and tactics.

The U.S. Army has delivered the first prototype hardware for the Long Range Hypersonic Weapon system to a battalion of the 17th Field Artillery Brigade. U.S. Army photo by SPC Karleshia Gater

The U.S. Army equipped the I Corps’ 5th Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, 17th Field Artillery Brigade, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, with the nation’s first prototype hypersonic ground equipment, the service announced in a press release.

Known as the Long Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW), the land-based, ground-launched system is designed as a deterrent to adversaries. Extremely accurate, exceptionally fast, maneuverable and survivable, hypersonic weapons introduce a lethal combination that enables the long-range, rapid defeat of time-critical and high-value targets. Part of the Army’s top modernization priority, Long-Range Precision Fires, hypersonics is also one of the highest-priority modernization areas the Department of Defense is pursuing in its push for integrated deterrence, the press release explains.

“Today marks an important milestone in equipping our nation’s first hypersonic battery,” said Lt. Gen. L. Neil Thurgood, director of hypersonics, directed energy, space and rapid acquisition, who also oversees the Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office. “From a blank piece of paper in March 2019, we—along with our industry partners and joint services—delivered this hardware in just over two years. Now, soldiers can begin training.”

Delivery of the hardware began in March of last year and finished late last month. The delivery includes a battery operations center, four transporter erector launchers and modified trucks and trailers that make up the LRHW ground equipment.

The fielding to the 5-3 FA will be complete in fiscal year 2023. Delivering the ground hardware first will allow the soldiers to train on the equipment, create doctrine for this first-ever system and develop tactics, techniques and procedures.