The US Army and US Navy's successful test of a hypersonic missile earlier this month is the latest sign of the United States' military innovation.

The US Army's Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO), in collaboration with the US Navy's Strategic Systems Programs, on December 12 conducted the test from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.

The all-up round test featured the Common Hypersonic Glide Body system, which the two services developed jointly.

The Army plans to develop its version, the Long Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW), into a mobile ground platform. The Navy's version, Conventional Prompt Strike, will be a ship-launched capability on its Zumwalt-class destroyer and its Virginia-class submarine.

The recent milestone marked the first live-fire test for the LRHW with a battery operations center and transporter erector launcher.

Under development since 2019, the LRHW consists of a ground-launched missile equipped with a hypersonic glide body and associated transport, support and fire control equipment.

This cutting-edge, medium-range, surface-to-surface hypersonic weapon -- dubbed the "Dark Eagle" -- boasts a reported range of 2,774km with hypersonic missiles that can travel over 6,120 km/h.

Preeminent technology

Hypersonic missiles have remarkable speed, traveling faster than Mach 5 and maneuvering between various altitudes, traits that make them difficult to detect.

"This test builds on several flight tests in which the Common Hypersonic Glide Body achieved hypersonic speed at target distances and demonstrates that we can put this capability in the hands of the warfighter," Army Secretary Christine Wormuth said in a statement.

"This test marks an important milestone in the development of one of our most advanced weapons systems," Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro added.

"As we approach the first delivery of this capability to our Army partners, we will continue to press forward to integrate Conventional Prompt Strike into our Navy surface and subsurface ships to help ensure we remain the world's preeminent fighting force," he said.

"The responsiveness, maneuverability and survivability of hypersonic weapons is unmatched by traditional strike capabilities for precision targeting, especially in anti-access/area denial environments," said Lt. Gen. Robert A. Rasch, Director of Hypersonics, Directed Energy, Space and Rapid Acquisitions for RCCTO.

Partnering with the United States means partnering with a world leader in cutting-edge technology.

The F-35 Lightning II program stands out as one example, uniting the United States with some 20 key allies to produce a cutting-edge fifth-generation fighter jet.

Whether the agenda is hypersonic research or another advanced defense project, partnering with the United States provides access to decades of expertise, robust resources and a proven record of innovation.