hypersonic – The Defense Post

Apr- 2026 -

8 April

Air

‘Fastest Unmanned Aircraft’ for American Warfighters Advances in Development

Hermeus has moved a step closer to fielding what it describes as the “fastest unmanned aircraft flying today,” raising $350 million to advance development.

Mar- 2026 -

19 March

Americas

Ethan M. Encarnacion

A Prelude to Hypersonic Capability: New US Navy Missile Effort Targets Mach 4

A Palladyne AI subsidiary is set to develop a new long-range missile that aims to strike the balance between affordability and near-hypersonic striking power.

Feb- 2026 -

27 February

Americas

Akhsan Erido Elezhar

New Supersonic Aerial Effects Take Aim at Modern Airborne Challenges

SNC and Specter Aerospace are entering the high-speed arena with next-gen supersonic aerial effects, designed to counter hypersonic missiles and drone swarm threats.

27 February

Americas

Ethan M. Encarnacion

Auburn Showcases 3D Carbon Fiber Composites Printer for Hypersonic Programs

A tech tour at Auburn University is giving industry leaders a first look at an integrated composite manufacturing system expected to accelerate hypersonic programs.

26 February

Air

Rojoef Manuel

Rocket Lab Cancels Maiden Launch of Hypersonic Drone for Pentagon

Rocket Lab has called off the launch of a hypersonic test vehicle for the Pentagon’s Defense Innovation Unit, citing “out-of-bounds launch commit criteria.”

26 February

Air

3D rendering of an Ursa Major hypersonic missile in high-altitude flight above Earth, illustrating advanced propulsion and air defense penetration capabilities.

Ethan M. Encarnacion

Ursa Major Rolls Out Hypersonic Missile That Adjusts Speed, Restarts Mid-Flight

Ursa Major is competing against hypersonic targets with its own high-speed missile designed to operate inside and beyond the Earth’s atmosphere.

24 February

Americas

L3Harris hypersonics concept illustration.

Giulia Bernacchi

L3Harris Cuts Hypersonic Component Production Time by 90% With 3D Printing

L3Harris improved additive manufacturing for air breathing hypersonic propulsion systems, shortening component production time by 90 percent.

23 February

Americas

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to Bravo Battery, 5th Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery, Long Range Fires Battalion, 1st Multi-Domain Task Force, demonstrate the capabilities of one of the Long Range Hypersonic Weapon Transporter Erector Launchers participating in exercise Bamboo Eagle 24-3 on Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Aug. 2, 2024. Through the use of designated airspace, BE 24-3 provides Airmen, allies and partners a flexible, combat-representative, multidimensional battlespace to conduct testing, tactics development, and advanced training in support of U.S. national interests. (U.S. Army photo by 1st Lt. David Kim)

Rojoef Manuel

US Army Deletes New Dark Eagle Hypersonic Weapon Photos as Fielding Nears

The US Army briefly published and then removed new official images of its Dark Eagle Long Range Hypersonic Weapon, offering rare updated views of the system as it nears operational fielding.

18 February

Middle East

Akhsan Erido Elezhar

Arrow 4 Arrives: Newest Israeli Interceptor Features ‘Shoot-Look-Shoot’ Capability

Israel Aerospace Industries has kicked off live-fire testing of its next-gen Arrow 4 interceptor, signaling a pivotal step toward fielding the system against emerging hypersonic threats.

13 February

Air