The United States conducted a successful test of a hypersonic ground-based missile.

DARPA announced the tests having run successfully.

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) of the US Department of Defense reports that the Lockheed Martin company has successfully launched a rocket of a novel ground-launched hypersonic missile system.

The first flight test was executed at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.

The missile system is being developed as part of the Operational Fires (OpFires) joint program.

According to DARPA, the test marked the first-ever use of a US Marine Corps (USMC) logistics truck as a medium-range missile launcher.

The test demonstrated integrated technology maturation of key enabling components, including the first stage rocket motor, missile canister, and missile round pallet (MRP).

The MRP is designed for use with the load handling system available on USMC and Army logistics vehicles, eliminating the need for a bespoke OpFires transporter erector launcher for the new missile.

The hypersonic system that includes a rocket engine from Northrop Grumman was developed by Lockheed Martin.

OpFires is an innovative ground-based missile system that enables a hypersonic aerodynamic unit to penetrate an enemy zone protected by modern air defenses and precisely strike time-critical targets.

The OpFires system’s solid-fuel booster engine is said to have the ability to vary its thrust in flight to deliver the payload across the entire range without wasting energy on maneuvers.

In 2022, DARPA received $45 million to test the OpFires system.