Now “Deployed” Army Long Range Hypersonic Weapon Could Save Taiwan

by Kris Osborn, President, Center for Military Modernization

After being fast-tracked for many years by weapons developers, the Army’s breakthrough Long Range Hypersonic weapon is here, deployed and built for speed. 

Could not happen a moment too soon for the Army, as service leaders just several years ago were clear that the US was “number 3” in the realms of hypersonic weapons, therefore accelerating efforts to close the gap. That gap is now closing, or possibly even closed, now that LRHW is deployed and ready for operational service.  Several years ago, former lead LRHW developer, Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office Lt. Gen. Neil Thurgood said several years ago that the LRHW weapon would remain “on track” for 2023 delivery. He appears to have been correct as that has now been accomplished, generating a situation where the Army is fast-tracking full-rate, large-scale production of the weapon. 

A service write up on its Army of 2030 force says “the LRHW 1st Multi-Domain Task Force long-range fires battalion, 5th Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment.”

Hypersonic Attack on “Moving Targets”

Throughout its development, Army weapons developers have been clear to sustain a focus on yet another generation of hypersonic weapons able to expand beyond the attack capabilities of the initial LRHW missiles. Service weapons developers have been working on a “tech insertion” upgrade for the LRHW to enable it to maneuver in flight, change course in response to changing target specifics and succeed in destroying “moving” targets. 

Hitting massive, hypersonic speeds of 3,800 miles per hour and reaching impactful, breakthrough ranges of 1,725 miles, the now deployed LRHW could prove decisive in the Pacific. An analysis of sa map showing distances from Japan and Guam to Tawian, it appears the LRHW’s reach would enable it to defend Taiwan and certainly hold mainland China at risk of hypersonic attack. Central Japan is listed at 2,163km from the island of Taiwan, a distance just over 1,000 miles and Guam is slated to be a 1,709 miles from Taiwan, just at the boundary of LRHW’s range. The LRHW is mobile and deployable as well, given that it can travel on a C-17 to quickly get to forward defensive locations.