Home Americas US Navy, Army test hypersonic strike system rocket motor

US Navy, Army test hypersonic strike system rocket motor

Hypersonic weapon system test
Illustration: Lockheed Martin file photo

Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman say they have completed a significant live fire hypersonic strike system test in support of the US Navy’s Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) and US Army’s Long Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) programs.

In this live fire ground test of the first stage solid rocket motor, the motor fired for the full trial duration and met performance parameters and objectives within anticipated ranges.

Northrop Grumman developed the motor and Lockheed Martin serves as the prime weapon systems integrator to provide boost capability to the US Navy and US Army hypersonic strike missile.

“We’re pleased to celebrate this important event with the US Navy, Army and Northrop Grumman. This outcome today is due to our shared effort and determination to see this test on the Conventional Prompt Strike program succeed,” said Steve Layne, Program Director of Conventional Strike Programs at Lockheed Martin. “This live fire event is a major milestone on the path to providing hypersonic strike capability to the US Navy and US Army warfighters.”

CPS is a hypersonic boost glide missile and weapon system that enables long range flight with high survivability against enemy defenses. The non-nuclear hypersonic weapon system will be designed to enable precise and timely strike capability in contested environments.

The Navy CPS-developed common hypersonic missile is composed of a hypersonic glide body that travels to target at hypersonic speed and booster that launches the glide body into initial flight. The missile will be fielded by both Navy and Army, which will each develop service-specific weapon systems and launchers tailored for use from land and sea.

CPS and LRHW share a common all up round that can be launched from surface ships, submarines, and land-based mobile launchers.