The U.S. Air Force has confirmed that its new Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile is scheduled for its first flight test this fall, marking a pivotal step in advancing next-generation strike capabilities.
At a Glance
- Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile (HACM) test planned for fall 2025
- Program aims to achieve sustained flight above Mach 5 with air-breathing propulsion
- Designed for long-range precision strikes against defended targets
- Australia is a key partner in development and testing
- Comes amid escalating U.S.-China-Russia hypersonic competition
A Test with Strategic Weight
Budget documents released this week show the U.S. Air Force intends to conduct the inaugural flight test of the Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile (HACM) within months. The weapon, developed with Raytheon and Northrop Grumman, is designed to achieve speeds above Mach 5 using a scramjet engine, enabling rapid response and deep penetration of contested airspace.
Unlike boost-glide hypersonic systems such as the Army’s Dark Eagle, HACM is expected to use air-breathing propulsion, making it lighter and more suitable for aircraft carriage. Air Force officials emphasize that the missile could be launched from fighter and bomber platforms, significantly extending operational range and strike flexibility.
Watch now: Our first look at America’s HYPERSONIC HACM Missile · YouTube
Partnership and Competition
Australia has been a formal partner in the HACM program since 2020, contributing testing ranges and research support. Joint development reflects the Pentagon’s broader strategy of working with allies to field advanced capabilities faster.
The timing of the test coincides with increased activity in rival programs. China plans to showcase multiple hypersonic systems at its September military parade, while Russia continues to deploy weapons like the Kinzhal and Zircon despite mixed battlefield performance. The Pentagon views HACM as a critical counterbalance in what defense analysts describe as a hypersonic arms race.
Road Ahead for HACM
If successful, the fall test could pave the way for further trials leading to an initial operational capability in the early 2030s. The Air Force has requested additional funding in the FY2026 defense budget to accelerate testing, production readiness, and integration with frontline aircraft.
However, challenges remain. Developing materials capable of withstanding extreme heat and sustaining controlled flight at hypersonic speeds has historically delayed programs. Moreover, U.S. lawmakers continue to debate the balance between investing in hypersonic offense and defense, particularly as adversaries expand their own arsenals.
Analysts caution that while the HACM test will be an important milestone, a single demonstration will not settle broader questions about affordability, production scaling, and battlefield survivability. Nonetheless, the Air Force sees it as a critical step toward ensuring that U.S. forces can operate in increasingly contested environments.
Sources
Click this link for the original source of this article.
Author: Editor
This content is courtesy of, and owned and copyrighted by, https://deepstatetribunal.com and its author. This content is made available by use of the public RSS feed offered by the host site and is used for educational purposes only. If you are the author or represent the host site and would like this content removed now and in the future, please contact USSANews.com using the email address in the Contact page found in the website menu.
