Pentagon Reaffirms Commitment to Hypersonic Systems, Including the Shelved ARRW
In contrasting hearings today on Capitol Hill, Pentagon leaders spotlighted renewed focus on hypersonic weapon development amid broader defense modernization efforts. The Air Force announced that the once-on-hold ARRW (Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon) is now back in active development, while the Army revealed plans to evaluate new hypersonic rounds for its existing systems.
Air Force’s Surprising Revival of the ARRW Program
During a House Armed Services Committee hearing, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin confirmed that the service plans to proceed with procurement of the ARRW—a long-delayed program previously shelved under the Biden administration. “We are developing, and you’ll see in the budget submission, two different programs,” he stated, noting both the ARRW and the Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile (HACM).
“All these systems are moving beyond the R&D phase and into procurement,” he added. While HACM, developed for broader aircraft compatibility due to its smaller size, was the initial focus, Allvin indicated the ARRW could also be procured again if deemed appropriate.
The ARRW’s final test occurred last year, but no immediate procurement plans were announced. The decision will hinge on the upcoming FY26 budget, which is still being finalized. Lockheed Martin manufactures ARRW, and the system’s future remains uncertain pending budget decisions.
Army’s Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon ‘Dark Eagle’ Moves Forward
Meanwhile, the Army’s plans for its Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon, dubbed Dark Eagle, are progressing after earlier technical setbacks. Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll and Gen. Randy George testified that the first operational units could be ready later this year, with ongoing efforts to identify cost-effective alternatives for future rounds.
Dark Eagle employs a land-based truck system and shares a common hypersonic glide body produced by Dynetics, capable of traveling over 3,800 mph—roughly five times the speed of sound—within range of 1,725 miles.
An Army official told Breaking Defense that the service is seeking additional companies to develop new hypersonic rounds, aiming to diversify options and avoid over-reliance on a single supplier—similar to the strategy under its broader Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) program.
PrSM: The Army’s Long-Range Precision Fires Future
The PrSM program, a key element of the Army’s long-range precision fires portfolio, is set to replace the MGM-140 ATACMS missile. It’s designed to hit targets at least 500 km away from platforms like the M142 HIMARS and M270A2 MLRS.
Upcoming versions include Increment 2 with a multimode seeker, and Increment 3, planned to deliver enhanced lethality. The Army is also exploring a future “Inc 4” variant capable of flying over 1,000 km, with competing designs from Lockheed Martin and a Raytheon-Northrop Grumman team.
Additionally, the Army intends to test a longer-range missile early next year, emphasizing the goal of fostering competition and bolstering munitions stockpiles, according to officials.
Overall Outlook: Focused on Innovation, Competition, and Capability
These hearings highlight a strategic pivot toward revitalizing hypersonic capabilities, with emphasis on rapid development, procurement, and diversification of supply chains. While budget and technical hurdles remain, the Pentagon’s renewed commitment underscores hypersonic weapons as a critical component of future U.S. military dominance.
