Air-Launched Hypersonic Missiles

Latest in Air-Launched Hypersonic Missiles

A B-1B Lancer assigned to the 419th Flight Test Squadron conducts flight tests on the Load Adaptable Modular pylon in the skies over California, Feb. 15.

B-1B Tests New Pylon That Could Drastically Increase Its Weapons Carriage Capabilities B-1B Tests New Pylon That Could Drastically Increase Its Weapons Carriage Capabilities

By Thomas Newdick

Aug 5 9:16 PM EDT

Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18F Super Hornets will be used to launch prototypes of the US Air Force's Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile.

Australian F/A-18F Super Hornets To Test Launch U.S. Air Force’s Hypersonic Cruise Missiles Australian F/A-18F Super Hornets To Test Launch U.S. Air Force’s Hypersonic Cruise Missiles

By Joseph Trevithick

Jun 18 2:25 PM EDT

The US Army's new Precision Strike Missile might provide the United States a ready path to acquiring an air-launched ballistic missile, a type of weapon that is seeing a renaissance around the world.

Army’s New PrSM Ballistic Missile Should Be Adapted Into An Air Launched Weapon Army’s New PrSM Ballistic Missile Should Be Adapted Into An Air Launched Weapon

By Tyler Rogoway, Joseph Trevithick

Jun 10 4:54 PM EDT

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) today officially unveiled an air-launched version of its LORA (Long Range Artillery), a short-range ballistic missile originally developed for ground launch. The new weapon joins an expanding armory of ballistic missile designs adapted for air launch, including the Israel Military Industries (IMI) Rampage, also based on a long-range artillery munition.

Air LORA, Israel’s Biggest Air-Launched Ballistic Missile, Emerges From The Shadows Air LORA, Israel’s Biggest Air-Launched Ballistic Missile, Emerges From The Shadows

By Thomas Newdick

Jun 6 11:29 AM EDT

The Navy has been eying the possibility of arming its ships and submarines, as well as aircraft, with a new air-breathing hypersonic anti-ship cruise missile.

Navy’s HALO Hypersonic Anti-Ship Missile Planned For Ships, Submarines, As Well As Jets Navy’s HALO Hypersonic Anti-Ship Missile Planned For Ships, Submarines, As Well As Jets

By Joseph Trevithick

Jun 5 3:19 PM EDT

Experimental Alpha Draco hypersonic boost-glide vehicle preparing for launch, 1959.

Alpha Draco Paved The Way In The Late 1950s For Future Hypersonic Boost-Glide Vehicles Alpha Draco Paved The Way In The Late 1950s For Future Hypersonic Boost-Glide Vehicles

By Oliver Parken

May 29 6:00 PM EDT

Footage has been published, apparently for the first time, showing a Chinese H-6 bomber dropping one of the shadowy air-launched ballistic missiles known by the designation 2PZD-21. The missile is part of a growing armory of Chinese aero-ballistic missiles and is widely understood to be a ‘carrier-killer’ weapon designed to be used as part of the country’s anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) strategy. However, many questions remain about the role of the weapon and its capabilities.

China’s H-6K Bomber Seen Firing Air-Launched Ballistic Missile For First Time China’s H-6K Bomber Seen Firing Air-Launched Ballistic Missile For First Time

By Thomas Newdick

May 1 1:38 PM EDT

Mystery missile in Iraq.

Mystery Weapon Appears In Iraqi Field After Israeli Strike (Updated) Mystery Weapon Appears In Iraqi Field After Israeli Strike (Updated)

By Tyler Rogoway

Apr 20 4:12 PM EDT

Lockheed Martin has unveiled a new hypersonic missile, the Mako, which it is pitching to the U.S. Navy and Air Force and which it says will potentially also be able to arm submarines and surface warships. The weapon, which was originally developed for the Air Force’s Stand-in Attack Weapon (SiAW) program reflects growing interest in more affordable hypersonic strike weapons, smaller than cruise missiles but offering standoff range and very rapid response.

The Lowdown On Lockheed’s Newly Revealed Mako Hypersonic Missile The Lowdown On Lockheed’s Newly Revealed Mako Hypersonic Missile

By Thomas Newdick

Apr 11 1:19 PM EDT

The Air Force has conducted an unprecedented test launch of a live AGM-183A ARRW hypersonic missile in the Western Pacific, sending signals to China and elsewhere in the region amid uncertainty about this particular program's future.

Unprecedented U.S. Hypersonic Weapons Test From Guam Has Occurred Unprecedented U.S. Hypersonic Weapons Test From Guam Has Occurred

By Joseph Trevithick

Mar 19 7:02 PM EDT

The Air Force says it will bring its Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon program later this year, but the service has refused to rule out future work on this or another similar hypersonic weapon design.

Signs ARRW Hypersonic Missile Follow-On May Be In The Works Signs ARRW Hypersonic Missile Follow-On May Be In The Works

By Joseph Trevithick

Mar 12 9:24 PM EDT

There are growing signs that an unprecedented AGM-183A hypersonic missile test staged from Guam is imminent.

Unprecedented U.S. Hypersonic Weapon Test In West Pacific Appears Imminent Unprecedented U.S. Hypersonic Weapon Test In West Pacific Appears Imminent

By Joseph Trevithick

Mar 4 4:08 PM EST

The Air Force has very publicly shown pictures of a live AGM-183A hypersonic missile under the wing of a B-52H bomber on Guam despite previously announcing plans to end program.

B-52 Armed With Hypersonic Missile Makes Appearance In Guam B-52 Armed With Hypersonic Missile Makes Appearance In Guam

By Joseph Trevithick, Thomas Newdick

Mar 1 2:35 PM EST

The Missile Defense Agency has released rare video footage showing the entire launch sequence of a mock medium-range ballistic missile from a C-17 cargo plane during a recent test.

C-17 Launching Mock Ballistic Missile Seen Like Never Before C-17 Launching Mock Ballistic Missile Seen Like Never Before

By Joseph Trevithick

Feb 9 2:10 PM EST

Ukrainian sappers disarm the warhead of a Kinzhal missile shot down over Kyiv Jan. 2

Ukraine Situation Report: Downed Kinzhal Warhead Recovered In Kyiv Ukraine Situation Report: Downed Kinzhal Warhead Recovered In Kyiv

By Howard Altman

Jan 5 7:30 PM EST

A fire is burning in Kyiv, Ukraine, on January 2, 2024, caused by a Russian missile strike during a massive missile attack this morning.

Ukraine Situation Report: Massive Russian Missile Barrage Starts New Year Ukraine Situation Report: Massive Russian Missile Barrage Starts New Year

By Thomas Newdick

Jan 2 1:48 PM EST