From treaty limits to renewed capability

The United States Army's Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon, officially named Dark Eagle, pairs a rocket booster with a maneuverable glide vehicle for rapid, long-distance strikes.

For decades, the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty prevented US development of ground-launched missiles with roughly 500- to 5,500-kilometer (about 310- to 3,400-miles) ranges.

After suspected Russian violations and strategic shifts, the US withdrew from the accord in 2019 and resumed work on such systems.

Dark Eagle fills a capability gap by providing a mobile, land-based hypersonic option able to reach distant targets quickly and with precision.

The system expands long-range strike choices for commanders facing anti-access and area-denial environments.

Speed, maneuver and conventional strikes

The heart of Dark Eagle is a common hypersonic glide body that separates from its booster and glides toward targets at hypersonic velocities above Mach 5.

The glide vehicle can alter its flight path during descent to complicate interception by traditional missile defenses.

The Army describes Dark Eagle as a conventional, non-nuclear weapon designed to hit high-value military infrastructure and time-sensitive targets in contested areas.

Its combination of speed and maneuverability reduces defender reaction windows and increases strike certainty.

Dark Eagle uses mobile launchers and support vehicles that provide exceptional operational flexibility and survivability, allowing US forces to rapidly reposition and fire from multiple concealed locations as missions evolve.

This high mobility enables dispersed basing, increases battlefield agility and significantly complicates enemy detection and targeting efforts.

Testing has demonstrated end-to-end performance of the boost and glide phases, validating that the common glide body and booster can function together for the planned strike profiles.

Continued trials aim to prove reliability across operational conditions.

Defense officials note that the system's reported range, around 1,725 miles, gives commanders reach to influence distant regions without resorting to nuclear options.

This range converts strategic options into conventional tools for campaign planners.

Unlike nuclear platforms, Dark Eagle is designed for conventional warfare. It offers speed, precision and flexibility for striking military infrastructure, command centers and other strategic targets.

Its land-based launch capability enhances mobility and responsiveness across multiple regions of operation.

The system's deployment underscores the Army's evolving role in strategic deterrence and rapid response.

As global threats shift, Dark Eagle provides a vital capability for maintaining US military superiority.