Army Leads US Push for Hypersonic Weapon Dominance
As the development of hypersonic weapons becomes an increasingly critical element of national defense strategy, the various branches of the U.S. military are intensifying their efforts to lead in this crucial domain of next-generation warfare. According to the article “Which service is leading the US hypersonics race?” published by Military Times on December 15, 2025, the U.S. Army has emerged as the current frontrunner in the pursuit of operational hypersonic capabilities.
The piece highlights that while all branches—the Army, Navy, and Air Force—are pursuing specialized hypersonic systems tailored to their particular mission sets, the Army’s Long Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) program has propelled it ahead of its counterparts for now. The LRHW, which uses a ground-launched missile system to deliver a maneuverable hypersonic glide body, is reportedly the closest to field deployment. According to officials, the Army began integrating the system into its units last year, with further testing and potential operational capability expected in the near term.
In contrast, the Air Force and Navy continue to refine their efforts. The Air Force’s AGM-183 Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW) program—once considered a cornerstone of the service’s hypersonic ambitions—has encountered setbacks during developmental testing. As a result, the Air Force has shifted focus toward alternate solutions, including the Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile (HACM), which leverages air-breathing technology and a partnership with the Australian military.
The Navy, for its part, is developing a sea-based hypersonic weapon system based on a common glide body architecture shared with the Army. The Conventional Prompt Strike program intends to arm Navy surface vessels with this capability, though the timeline for full operational capability remains longer term, with deployment aboard the Zumwalt-class destroyers projected within the next several years.
Despite different levels of progress, the services are collaborating closely through the Office of the Secretary of Defense and other interagency partnerships to share technical solutions and ensure complementary capabilities rather than duplication. Speed, agility, and survivability are key design imperatives as hypersonic systems promise to provide U.S. forces with an ability to engage strategic targets at previously unmatched velocities and distances.
However, logistical hurdles persist. The challenges of manufacturing at scale, maintaining system integrity under extreme conditions, and controlling escalating program costs have cast uncertainty on how quickly these capabilities can become fully operational and integrated into the broader force structure. Furthermore, as near-peer adversaries such as China and Russia continue their own hypersonic advancements, the imperative for the U.S. to accelerate its programs is growing ever more urgent.
Ultimately, while the Army currently leads in hypersonic program maturity, the dynamic and cooperative nature of U.S. defense innovation suggests that a multi-service convergence on hypersonic technology is both deliberate and inevitable. The path to operational deployment remains complex, but hypersonics are poised to become a defining aspect of future military deterrence and strategic strike options.
