The U.S. Army has awarded Lockheed Martin a $756 million contract to enhance the nation’s ground-based hypersonic weapon system, the Long Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW).

This contract will provide the Army with additional LRHW battery equipment, systems and software engineering support, and comprehensive logistics solutions.

The LRHW represents a new class of ultrafast and maneuverable long-range hypersonic missiles capable of launching from ground mobile platforms.

The system is designed to deploy the common hypersonic All Up Round (AUR), managed by the U.S. Navy’s Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) program.

A common hypersonic All Up Round (AUR) is an integrated missile system designed for hypersonic speeds, meaning it travels at speeds greater than Mach 5. The term “All Up Round” refers to a missile system that is fully assembled and ready for deployment, encompassing all necessary components, including the missile body, warhead, propulsion system, and guidance systems.

For the U.S. military, the common hypersonic AUR is part of the Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) program managed by the U.S. Navy. It is intended to be used across different branches of the military, providing a standardized hypersonic missile that can be launched from various platforms, including ground-based systems, ships, and submarines.

The AUR concept aims to streamline the development and deployment process by using a common missile design for multiple services, thereby enhancing interoperability and reducing costs. In the context of the Long Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) system mentioned in the contract with Lockheed Martin, the AUR would be the missile that these systems launch, providing the Army with a powerful and versatile hypersonic strike capability.

Key components of the LRHW include the Army canister, a battery operations center, and transporter erector launchers.

The missile is designed to be highly maneuverable, making it difficult to detect and intercept. The hypersonic glide vehicle is launched to high altitudes, where it then glides at hypersonic speeds towards its target. The LRHW is launched from ground mobile platforms, which makes it highly versatile and deployable from various locations. It includes a battery operations center, transporter erector launchers (TELs), and supporting command and control systems.

“Lockheed Martin is proud to continue our strong partnership with the U.S. government for hypersonic strike capability,” said Steve Layne, vice president of Hypersonic Strike Weapon Systems at Lockheed Martin. “With this contract, we will support the U.S. Army in sustaining the Long Range Hypersonic Weapon System currently in use, produce additional batteries for future deployments, and support ongoing flight testing.”

Lockheed Martin initially delivered equipment for the first LRHW battery, known as Dark Eagle, to U.S. soldiers in 2021.

The company remains committed to supporting the Army in meeting this critical national security need, leveraging over 60 years of experience in advanced hypersonic technology as part of its 21st Century Security® vision.

Lockheed Martin is a global defense technology company that drives innovation and scientific discovery. Its mission solutions and 21st Century Security® vision aim to accelerate the delivery of transformative technologies, ensuring their customers stay ahead of emerging threats. For more information, visit lockheedmartin.com.