US building hypersonic HALO anti-ship strike carrier-based weapon

News, US April 3, 2023 , by IRIA No Comments

U.S. Navy has contracted defense firms to build the Hypersonic Air-Launched Offensive Anti-Surface Warfare weapon (HALO). It is a carrier-based anti-ship strike missile that would support the U.S. Navy’s long-range fires strategy.

According to the U.S. Naval Air Systems Command release, the Navy awarded two contracts to Raytheon Missiles and Defense and Lockheed Martin “for the initial development for a carrier suitable long range, high speed missile” named HALO.

According to Raytheon Technologies’ statement, during the initial phase of the HALO program, the company’s advanced technology team would “focus on maturing the technology required to reach a preliminary design review of an all up round HALO weapon system”. During the next phase, the team will focus on demonstrating a propulsion system.

President of Advanced Technology at Raytheon Missiles & Defense, Colin Whelan said, “The U.S. Navy requires a highly capable and survivable weapon that’s adaptable for future relevance. Raytheon’s open system architecture and digital engineering approaches will ensure we deliver this critical capability to the warfighter when they need it.”

Precision Strike Weapons (PMA-201) program manager Capt. Richard Gensley said that the HALO program is part of the Navy’s Long Range Fires investment approach to meet objectives of the National Defense Strategy where hypersonic weapons are a top priority.

Gensley stressed that “As threat capability continues to advance, additional range, warfare capability and capacity is required to address the more demanding threat environment”. According to Gensley, the U.S. Navy is “leveraging science and technology and rapid prototyping arenas to support aggressive schedule execution.”

*^{Lockheed Martin fires Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) from a U.S. Air Force B-1B on May 23, 2018. (Image Credit: Lockheed Martin)}*

The hypersonic HALO will replace the subsonic Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM). Compared to LRASM, it will have a higher speed and longer range, providing superior anti-surface warfare capabilities to the U.S. Navy. The HALO weapon system will address advanced threats from distances that allows the fleet to operate in, and control, a contested battle space.

HALO’s predecessor, LRASM, is currently fielded on the U.S. Navy’s F/A-18 and Air Force B-1B bomber. Until the HALO weapon becomes operational, the Navy will continue with upgrades to the existing weapon and incorporate missile hardware and software improvements to enhance targeting capabilities.