Air-Launched Hypersonic Missiles

Latest in Air-Launched Hypersonic Missiles

The U.S. Air Force is moving ahead to add new external pylons onto its B-1B Lancer bombers after years of experimentation.
ARRW

B-1B To Finally Get New External Pylons Drastically Expanding Missile Carriage Potential (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Jul 9, 2025

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 20: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office at the White House on May 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Trump announced his plans for the "Golden Dome," a national ballistic and cruise missile defense system. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Air-Launched Ballistic Missiles

Trump’s Golden Dome Missile Shield: What We Just Learned And Its Implications

By Howard Altman, By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on May 21, 2025

The U.S. Navy has halted plans to acquire an air-launched, air-breathing hypersonic anti-ship cruise missile, citing cost and industrial base factors.
Air-launched hypersonic cruise missiles

Navy Axes Its Hypersonic Anti-Ship Cruise Missile Plans

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 11, 2025

China’s KD-21 air-launched ballistic missile (ALBM), a shadowy weapon that is widely seen as part of the country’s rapidly developing anti-shipping armory, appears to now be in operational service. The missile, carried by the H-6K bomber, made its public debut at Airshow China in Zhuhai in November 2022, but until now had not been confirmed as being carried by aircraft assigned to frontline unit.
Air-Launched Ballistic Missiles

China’s KD-21 Air-Launched Ballistic Missile Appears To Be Operational

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 1, 2025

U.S. Navy officials have laid out several priorities they say are key to ensuring the service's carrier air wings will be able to succeed in future conflicts, especially a high-end fight in the Pacific.
Air-launched hypersonic cruise missiles

Carrier Air Wing’s Key Priorities To Win In Future Pacific Fight Laid Out By Navy

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jan 30, 2025

Israeli has launched airstrikes on multiple targets in Yemen, including the capital of Sana’a, in response to an overnight missile launch from Yemen toward Israel. The Israeli raids come after an uptick in attacks against Israel by the Yemen-based Houthi militant group, including two in the past week.
Air-Launched Ballistic Missiles

Israeli Air Force Strikes Yemen With Popeye And Rampage Standoff Missiles

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 19, 2024

A video and pictures have emerged showing testing of Chinese high-flying and high-speed uncrewed air vehicles related to a design called MD-22, including aerial releases from a TB-001 drone and a high-altitude balloon.
Air-Launched Hypersonic Missiles

China Launches Hypersonic Test Planes From Drones, Balloons

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 16, 2024

Mk 41 launcher MDA Guam
Air-Launched Ballistic Missiles

Tilting Mark 41 Launcher Emerges During Guam’s First Aegis Ashore Missile Defense Test

By Geoff Ziezulewicz, By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 10, 2024

Chinese Hypersonic Boost-Glide Vehicle Concept That Launches Its Own Weapons Emerges
Air-launched hypersonic boost glide vehicles

Chinese Hypersonic Boost-Glide Vehicle Concept That Launches Its Own Weapons Emerges

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Nov 11, 2024

The Israeli Air Force (IAF) has released a rare picture of an F-16I fighter armed with four Rampage missiles, an adaptation of a ground-launched precision-guided artillery rocket.
Air-Launched Ballistic Missiles

Israeli F-16I Shown Loaded-Up With Four Rampage Stand-Off Missiles (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Oct 30, 2024

A Russian-made, S-300 missile system drives in front of the officials' stand during a military parade marking the annual Iranian National Army Day in Tehran, on April 18, 2019. - Iran's President Hassan Rouhani called on Middle East states on April 18 to "drive back Zionism", in an Army Day tirade against the Islamic republic's archfoe Israel. Speaking flanked by top general as troops paraded in a show of might, Rouhani also sought to reassure the region that the weaponry on display was for defensive purposes and not a threat.
Air-Launched Ballistic Missiles

Israeli Strikes Knocked Out All Of Iran’s S-300 Air Defense Systems: Officials

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 28, 2024

IAF strikes Iran
Air-Launched Ballistic Missiles

Israel’s Reprisal Strike Carefully Calculated, Unclear If Jets Ever Flew Over Iran

By Howard Altman, By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Oct 26, 2024

The US Air Force's Chief Scientist reportedly described the AGM-183A missile as the service's "most mature" hypersonic weapon, prompting new questions about whether that program's future.
ARRW

ARRW Hypersonic Missile Program Gets New Funding Despite Signs Of Cancellation

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Oct 10, 2024

An F-35 Lightning II test pilot conducts flight test Sept. 10 to certify the carrier variant of the fighter aircraft for carrying the AGM-158C Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM). As part of ongoing integration efforts, the Pax River F-35 Integrated Test Force (Pax ITF) team flew two days of test flights to evaluate flutter, loads, and flying qualities with two AGM-158 loaded on external stations. LRASM is a defined near-term solution for the Offensive Anti-Surface Warfare (OASuW) air-launch capability gap that will provide flexible, long-range, advanced, anti-surface capability against high-threat maritime targets. The Pax River ITF’s mission is to effectively plan, coordinate, and conduct safe, secure, and efficient flight test for F-35B and C variants, and provide necessary and timely data to support program verification / certification and fleet operational requirements.
Air-Launched Hypersonic Missiles

F-35 Shown Carrying Stealthy Long-Range Anti-Ship Missiles For The First Time

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Sep 24, 2024

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.
Air-launched hypersonic boost glide vehicles

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

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Aug 6, 2024

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.
HAWC

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

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 18, 2024