Overview
- Lt. Gen. Frank Lozano said the inaugural Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon battery is nearing full equipment with final integration expected within weeks.
- Initial fielding and unit-level integration are underway at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, with broader operational evaluation planned to continue through 2027.
- The trailer-launched boost-glide system flies above Mach 5, maneuvers in flight, and is reported to reach targets about 3,500 kilometers away in under 20 minutes.
- A March 2026 DOT&E assessment cites insufficient operational test data and incomplete lethality evaluation for the system under realistic conditions.
- High costs and limited production constrain availability, with missiles estimated at about $41 million each and output reported near one per month with a goal of two.