Kris Osborn
The Navy is fast-tracking prototypes of a first-of-its-kind air-launched hypersonic weapon able to destroy enemy ships from F-35Cs and F/A-18s, an effort which may quickly close the gap with China's development of similar weapons.
The weapon, called Hypersonic Air-Launched Offensive, appears to be showing promise for the next phase of development as the Navy analyzes initial prototype submissions. The Navy is likely fast-tracking the weapon to ensure it does not fall behind or operate with a hypersonic weapons "gap" with China in the Pacific given Chinese claims about air-launched hypersonic weapons.
A recent essay in the Chinese-government-backed Global Times says its H6K bomber is capable of being armed with an air fired hypersonic weapon called the YJ-21. While this weapon has been fired from PLA-Navy ships in tests in recent years, it has not previously been cited as existing in an air-launched variant. The Chinese paper cites an YJ-21 air-launched variant for what appears to be the first time in the context of "encircling" Taiwan with the H6K bomber.
“The H-6K bomber is capable of carrying a wide variety of munitions including the KD-20 land attack missile, the YJ-12 supersonic anti-ship missile and the YJ-21 hypersonic missile,” the Global Times reports.
The race for operational air-launched hypersonic weapons is extremely critical as their existence could well provide an unparalleled advantage in the realm of maritime warfare. Part of why the US Navy is likely fast-tracking its HALO as it does not want to operate with a "deficit" when it comes to hypersonic weapons. Should China have even a short-term window through which they believe to have air-launched hypersonic weapons superiority, they could well seek to exploit the deficit before it closes with surprise hypersonic attacks on Taiwan or allied ships performing security missions in the area.
The HALO is likely becoming increasingly critical given that the Air Force has "paused" the Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon hypersonic missile. Could the US fall behind China with the ability to attack from the air with hypersonic projectiles?
However, despite the ominous sounding threat, it is not clear just how advanced China's air-launched YJ-21 may be, how many exist and what kinds of guidance technologies does it operate with. It may or may not be superior in capability and performance parameters to the HALO, as it would not be surprising if the Navy were to develop a HALO variant capable of tracking and destroying "moving targets" at sea. Developers of the Army-Navy Long Range Hypersonic Weapon, for example, are already working on a "tech insertion" designed to enable hypersonic weapons to adjust in flight to hit moving targets. Perhaps the HALO, when introduced or fully operational, might contain this kind of ability. Would this put the US Navy ahead of China in the Pacific.
Once prototypes are built and production begins, the Navy will arm its F-35s and F/A-18s with a cutting-edge breakthrough air-launched hypersonic missile called Hypersonic Air-Launched Offensive to destroy enemy ships at sea from the air.
This is a critical ability designed to give maritime attack forces an unprecedented advantage to quickly track and destroy enemy targets from distances of several hundred miles away.
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Next Phase of HALO
Two industry giants, Lockheed and Raytheon, are building prototype missiles with the hope of being selected for the next phase in 2024. There are not a lot of details available when it comes to the specific technologies enabling this platform, and little information about tests or progress for the HALO thus far, however, the prospect of such a weapon introduces potentially unprecedented tactical advantages
. Much of the weapon's success, however, would likely pertain to the effectiveness and sophistication of its guidance systems.
These technologies are often held in top-secret profiles with little information being disclosed. Should the HALO be able to track and destroy moving targets at distances beyond the radar horizon using advanced guidance technology, enemy ships could be at risk from the air while manned ships operate at safer stand-off distances.
The Army is making progress with its Long Range Hypersonic Weapon, a land-fired hypersonic breakthrough expected to arrive this year. The Air Force has just paused its Air-Launched Rapid Response hypersonic weapon following a failed test, yet research will continue for the purpose of an eventual restart.
While potentially similar to the ARRW in some respects, the Navy’s HALO will arm ship-launched fighters with new attack possibilities given the speed at which hypersonic weapons travel. A HALO-armed F-35C could use its stealth to penetrate enemy air defenses and then fire the hypersonic cruise missile to destroy land, air, and sea targets.
The Navy Has Other Weapons as Well
The Navy already operates the semi-autonomous, air-launched Long Range Anti-Ship Missile, which is able to adapt to moving targets in flight with some degree of autonomy. Equivalent or greater autonomy for HALO would mean the missile operates with high-speed, computer-enabled autonomous navigation and could therefore target an entirely new sphere of targets. Should the HALO be enabled for autonomous flight, it could be fired into the air and then adjusted to new or maneuvering targets while en route.
Launching from the ocean to track and destroy enemy force installations, equipment, and platforms from stand-off distances offers a strategic advantage for U.S. forces.
At the same time, an even greater impact will be placed upon enemy forces, supplies, and warships, should some measure of autonomy exist with the HALO. This is a critical technology as it breaks ground by introducing a hypersonic cruise missile, a weapon that could eliminate enemy ships far away from shore in “blue water” warfare.
A major maritime engagement between rival powers on the open ocean hundreds or even thousands of miles offshore may occur beyond the range of most land-fired missiles, a scenario in which the HALO could prove impactful.
Kris Osborn is the Military Affairs Editor of 19FortyFive and President of Warrior Maven - Center for Military Modernization. Osborn previously served at the Pentagon as a Highly Qualified Expert with the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army—Acquisition, Logistics & Technology. Osborn has also worked as an anchor and on-air military specialist at national TV networks. He has appeared as a guest military expert on Fox News, MSNBC, The Military Channel, and The History Channel. He also has a Masters Degree in Comparative Literature from Columbia University.
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