The US Navy (USN) conducted a successful end-to-end, ground-based flight test of the Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) hypersonic missile at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, according to a statement on 2 May.
This test was conducted under the auspices of Strategic Systems Programs (SSP), a command within the Navy responsible for the lifecycle management of strategic-level, sea-based nuclear and non-nuclear capabilities.
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It was the first time the service fired the hypersonic weapon using a ‘cold-gas launch’ approach, meaning the rocket motor ignites after the missile has left the silo.
In contrast, the Mark 41 vertical launch system – which is fitted to 85 US warships – is a hot launch system where the missile ignites inside the launch cell. Likewise, USN Trident II D5 nuclear ballistic missiles are also hot launched.
The successful cold launch method will go on to inform the eventual fielding of the CPS missile.
“The cold-gas approach allows the Navy to eject the missile from the platform and achieve a safe distance above the ship prior to first stage ignition, “ explained Vice Admiral Johnny R. Wolfe Jr, director, SSP.
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In 2024, the programmes completed two additional end-to-end flight tests of the all-up round that will be fielded with the Navy and Army.
CPS is a programme to develop a hypersonic boost-glide missile concept that combines a rocket boost phase followed by the use of aerodynamic forces in a glide phase. This design allows for quicker, longer-range, and manoeurvable strikes with enhanced survivability against enemy defences.
USN commanders will launch CPS from Zumwalt-class destroyers and Virginia-class submarines – both are stealthy platforms, intended to limit detection even further – to penetrate air defences and to strike high-value, time-sensitive targets within a period of one to 24 hours.
“The speed, range, and survivability of hypersonic weapons are key to integrated deterrence for America,” Secretary of the Navy John Phelan said.
Russian hypersonic missiles
Hypersonics are a highly contested, albeit underdeveloped, deep strike capability. Russia purport to operate deployable hypersonic weapons today in their Kinzhal ballistic and Zircon cruise missiles. Despite claims that these weapons can reach up to speeds of Mach 10, their inability to manoeuvre in flight limits their impact against some air defences in Ukraine, such as the Patriot missile defence system.
For this reason, the role of these semi-hypersonic missiles have gradually shifted throughout the Russia-Ukraine war as they are now typically used alongside slower weapons to overload defences, allowing these missiles to deliver a more effective impact.
