US Army’s Dark Eagle hypersonic missile migrates to Australia

The U.S. Army’s Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon arguably bears one of the coolest names in the Department of Defense’s arsenal. Called ”Dark Eagle,” it was recently deployed outside the continental United States for the first time, making its overseas debut during this year’s Talisman Sabre military exercises in Australia’s Northern Territory.

We still don’t know if any missiles were actually fired, but the arrival of the Dark Eagle in Australia marks a major milestone for the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. It’s also a significant advancement in American long-range strike capabilities.

“This deployment validates the Army’s ability to position and operate the system in a forward environment,” Admiral Samuel Paparo said. He’s the commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. “It demonstrates our capacity to project power and support the defense of Australia, a key ally in the region.”

Dark Eagle: more than fast

Dark Eagle is not just fast — it’s maneuverable. While intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) can reach hypersonic speeds (five times the speed of sound or faster), they can’t change course mid-flight. That’s where Dark Eagle — and other hypersonics — stands apart. It uses a hypersonic glide body, launched from truck-based platforms, to strike targets over 1,700 miles away at more than 3,800 miles per hour.

The missile climbs to the edge of space, flies through the upper atmosphere out of reach of most enemy defenses, then maneuvers toward its target. That makes it uniquely capable of penetrating China’s so-called anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) bubble — an array of missiles and sensors which were purpose-built to keep U.S. forces at bay in the Indo-Pacific.

Strategic partnership with Australia

The 3rd Multi-Domain Task Force (3MDTF), based in Hawaii, oversaw the Dark Eagle deployment as part of the biennial Talisman Sabre exercise. TS25 brought together over 40,000 troops from the United States, Australia and 17 other nations.

Col. Wade Germann, commander of the 3MDTF, called the deployment “a major milestone” and a demonstration of America’s commitment to Indo-Pacific security. Photos from the event show U.S. soldiers briefing Australian counterparts on the system, signaling growing interest from Canberra. Australia is now exploring potential hypersonic collaboration through its 10th Brigade based in Adelaide.

“This system changes the game,” Lt. Gen. Joel Vowell of U.S. Army Pacific said. Australian defense analyst Mick Ryan echoed the sentiment, calling Dark Eagle “a great capability … ground-launched, low-signature, and able to fire and retreat under cover.”

Built for the Indo-Pacific, with China in mind

The development of Dark Eagle is tightly aligned with the Navy’s Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) missile, sharing a common hypersonic glide body and booster. The Army launches its version from mobile land-based trailers, while the Navy plans to fire CPS from its Zumwalt-class destroyers and Virginia-class submarines.

Together, these hypersonic platforms are designed to neutralize the “archers” before they can launch their “arrows” — a reference to enemy missile systems that threaten U.S. and allied forces in the region. The Army and Navy’s efforts complement the Air Force’s Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon, recently tested in the Pacific. ARRW was shelved by the Biden administration after the successful testing because of escalating costs. However, the Trump Administration is reviving the program with a $387.1 million infusion in its FY 2026 budget.

One costly bird

Each Dark Eagle missile costs an estimated $41 million, and the Department of Defense has earmarked over $10 billion in the next fiscal year’s budget for hypersonic weapons development and acquisition. While critics say the U.S. is already spending too much money on defense and could use that money elsewhere, proponents of hypersonics argue the high price tag is justified given the strategic advantage the weapons provide.

A full battery of Dark Eagles consists of a command and control vehicle, support vehicle, and four Transporter Erector Launchers (TELs), each equipped with two rounds. The Army said it plans to field its first full battery of Dark Eagles by the end of the year.