From Guam to China, London to Moscow in Minutes: US Unveils ‘Dark Eagle’ Hypersonic Missile Capable of Striking China and Russia Within 20 Minutes

Washington: The United States has taken a major leap in hypersonic warfare, unveiling its most advanced long‑range hypersonic missile system — the Dark Eagle Long‑Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) — capable of striking strategic targets in China and Russia within just 20 minutes. The US Army and Navy successfully completed integrated testing of the missile on December 12, marking a significant shift in global military balance.

American defence experts say the Dark Eagle has been specifically designed to neutralize advanced Russian and Chinese air‑defence systems, including Russia’s much‑touted S‑400 and S‑500 missile shields, which are considered among the world’s most sophisticated.

According to US military officials, the missile is faster, more lethal, and far harder to detect than conventional precision‑strike weapons, making interception extremely difficult even for state‑of‑the‑art defence networks.

Hypersonic Edge Over China and Russia

Lieutenant General Robert A. Rasch, Director of Hypersonic Systems at the Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO), said after the test:

“The responsiveness, maneuverability, and interception‑avoidance capability of hypersonic weapons far exceed traditional precision strike systems.”

The US Army plans to deploy Dark Eagle on mobile, ground‑based launch platforms, while the US Navy will integrate its version — known as Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) — on surface warships and submarines, significantly expanding strike flexibility.

What Makes Dark Eagle So Dangerous?

Military analysts describe Dark Eagle as an intermediate‑range boost‑glide hypersonic system, consisting of:

• A rocket booster
• A Common Hypersonic Glide Body (C‑HGB)

Once launched, the booster propels the missile to extreme altitude and speed. The glide body then separates and travels toward the target at hypersonic velocity, following an unpredictable, maneuvering flight path that makes tracking and interception extremely challenging.

The missile’s estimated range is around 3,500 kilometers. While the US officially states that the missile exceeds Mach 5, defence experts argue that to cover such distances in under 20 minutes, the cruise speed must approach Mach 10, suggesting that Mach 5 refers to terminal speed rather than maximum velocity.

Kinetic Destruction Over Explosive Power

One of Dark Eagle’s most alarming features is its kinetic kill capability. Instead of relying on a large explosive warhead, the missile reportedly carries only 13–14 kilograms of explosive material, supplemented by high‑velocity fragments.

At hypersonic speeds, the missile’s sheer kinetic energy is sufficient to destroy:

• Air‑defence systems like S‑400/S‑500
• Military command centers
• Radar installations
• Strategic bases

Experts say this approach makes the missile far more effective against hardened and time‑sensitive targets.

Size and Secrecy

While the US has officially classified the missile’s dimensions, analysis of available imagery suggests:

• Weight: 15–16 tonnes
• Length: 11–14 meters
• Diameter: Approximately 0.876 meters

US defence officials believe Dark Eagle’s low‑altitude flight profile, extreme speed, and erratic maneuvering will leave adversaries with very little warning or response time, even with advanced missile defence networks in place.

A New Era of Global Strike

With the successful testing of Dark Eagle, the United States has re‑entered the hypersonic arms race with renewed momentum, challenging China and Russia’s growing capabilities and potentially reshaping the future of global deterrence.

Military analysts warn that the deployment of such weapons significantly lowers reaction time during conflicts, increasing both strategic pressure and escalation risks worldwide.