US hypersonic race: Pentagon’s 5 next-gen weapons and programs shaping the future

The Pentagon is moving ahead with five U.S. hypersonic weapons programs, led by Dark Eagle, Conventional Prompt Strike, and HACM.

Dark Eagle and Conventional Prompt Strike use boost-glide technology and are the closest to fielding, while HACM is a scramjet-powered cruise missile still under development.

The programs reflect an effort by the U.S. military to catch up with China and Russia, which already operate hypersonic weapons.

If successful, these systems could hit distant targets faster and with less warning, challenging missile defenses and reshaping strike doctrine.