USA - Hypersonic weapon HALO sidelined

Too expensive - and not available before 2030.
In mid-April, it was announced that the US Navy had unexpectedly cancelled the ambitious project for an airborne hypersonic weapon against sea targets as part of a review of its investment programmes. The project launched in 2021 called Hypersonic Air-Launched Offensive Anti-Surface Warfare System (HALO) was previously considered time-critical and a priority in order to close a technological gap with Russia and China before the end of this decade.

HALO, graphic: Lockheed Martin

Raytheon and Lockheed Martin had already been awarded initial contracts for the development of the HALO in 2023 - not least because they are already working on a similar hypersonic cruise missile solution for the US Air Force. The US Navy has now opted instead to purchase the already available AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM)decided. This missile, a further development of the JASSM (Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile)Like Taurus or Storm Shadow, it is designed for sea targets, but remains in the subsonic range.

The Pentagon cites current budget restrictions as the main reason for the cancellation of the HALO project. These no longer allow for timely development and testing, as other - at least equally important - defence projects must be given priority.