Lockheed Martin Unveils Groundbreaking Visual of Advanced Hypersonic Missile System
Lockheed Martin Corp., the leading weapons supplier for the Pentagon, has unveiled the first public computer-generated visuals of the Army’s Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW).
The presentation reveals that the state-of-the-art weapon system will feature four transporter erector launchers (TELs), each mounted on a modified M870 40-ton trailer, alongside command posts.
Each TEL is designed to house two canisterized hypersonic weapons, with additional missiles ready for deployment as needed.
According to the company, the LRHW will utilize a common hypersonic glide body and introduce a groundbreaking class of ultrafast, maneuverable long-range missiles capable of being launched from mobile ground platforms.
This advanced weapon system will serve as a vital strategic asset and an effective deterrent against adversarial threats for the U.S. Army. Hypersonic missiles can ascend to the upper reaches of the Earth’s atmosphere and evade air and missile defense systems until the moment they are prepared to strike, leaving little to no time for a response. With exceptional accuracy, speed, and maneuverability, hypersonic technology can reach virtually any target on the planet within minutes.
The Army aims to have the first experimental prototype of the long-range hypersonic weapon operational by fiscal year 2023. This innovative land-based, truck-launched system is expected to be armed with hypersonic missiles capable of exceeding speeds of 3,800 miles per hour.
Moreover, on September 23, a ribbon-cutting ceremony took place to inaugurate the new Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) Canister Production Facility at the RMS Baltimore site. The event was attended by Deputy Director Robert Strider from the Army Hypersonic Project Office, along with key personnel from RMS and Lockheed Martin Space.
The Baltimore team is currently working under the IWTA to design and manufacture 19 intermediate range CPS canisters essential for long-range hypersonic weapons.
