After successfully testing from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station last December, the Army officially named its long-range hypersonic weapon, the Dark Eagle, on Thursday. The system, designed to “disintegrate enemy abilities,” was on it again on Friday morning.
LRHW Dark Eagle lift-off this morning🚀https://t.co/lcjhuxxt84 pic.twitter.com/yjxxusxmjk
– Jerrypike (@jerrypikephoto) April 25, 2025
Images posted on social media showed missile launches from Canaveral’s Space Launch Complex 46, but the eastern range posted a notification of maritime and airspace maintenance, but no mission details were announced.
“A team of government, academic and industry partners conducted tests on behalf of the Department of Defense from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station test site,” according to a statement emailed to the Secretary of Defense. “We are currently evaluating the results of our tests.”
Shortly after the lift-off, the vehicle will be split into two different sections, one that appears to be falling over and the other continues forward until it disappears into the sky.
– Jerrypike (@jerrypikephoto) April 25, 2025
Action on the Space Coast comes the day after the Army is officially referred to as the new Monica and the Defense System.
“Part of the name pays homage to Eagle, a master hunter known for his speed, stealth and agility thanks to the combination of LRHW’s speed, accuracy, maneuverability, survivability and versatility,” reads a press release from DOD. “And more, the bald eagle, the bird of our nation, represents independence, strength and freedom.”
This release explains that the “dark” part of the name refers to the ability of a polar weapon to “disrupt enemy abilities such as anti-access/area system capabilities, communication capabilities, long-range fires, and other high-wage/time critical targets.”
The December test was an effort to combine the Army’s rapid capabilities with the Critical Technology Office and the Navy’s Strategic Systems Program, with two branches trying to reduce test timelines and costs using the same weapons system.
“Hisonic weapons complicate enemy decision calculations and enhance deterrent,” said Patrick Mason, who performed his duties as an Army Deputy Secretary, logistics and technical duties. “Their speed, accuracy and versatility are worthy of the new, popular Dark Eagle.”
The SLC 46 recently hosted a pair of Astra Space Rocket releases in 2022 before its recent use in DOD testing.
The launch equipment uses a battery operation center and a transporter erector launcher to send missile streking east over the Atlantic.
The December test was the system’s first “live fire event.”
The system is intended to be deployed on land or at sea. Deferred missiles travel at more than five times the speed of sound, providing weapons that are much more difficult to counter after launch.
Original issue: April 25th, 2025 9:53am EDT
