Dark Eagle Hypersonic Missile

SEO Title: Dark Eagle Hypersonic Missile: Features, Range, Technology and Strategic Significance

Category: Defence & Security | Science & Technology | International Relations

UPSC Notes

Dark Eagle is the U.S. Army's Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) system. It is a ground-launched hypersonic weapon designed for long-range conventional precision strikes against high-value and time-sensitive targets. (USNI News)

Key Pointers

  • Country: United States

  • Official system: Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW)

  • Also known as: Dark Eagle

  • Uses the Common Hypersonic Glide Body (C-HGB).

  • Hypersonic weapons travel at Mach 5 or above.

  • Uses a boost-glide trajectory.

  • Ground-launched and mobile.

  • Designed to penetrate heavily defended environments.

  • Reported maximum range is around 3,500 km in recent UPSC references. (Vajiram & Ravi)

  • Important concepts: hypersonic glide vehicle, boost-glide technology, missile defence penetration.

Prelims Focus: C-HGB, LRHW, United States, Mach 5+, boost-glide technology.