USA Conducted Its First Test of HACM Missile

The U.S. Air Force conducted its first test of the new HACM hypersonic cruise missile at a test site in Australia.

This was reported by The War Zone.

The location and exact date of the test have not been disclosed, but it is believed to have taken place at the Woomera test range.

Development is being conducted in collaboration with the Royal Australian Air Force as part of the SCIFiRE project.

Raytheon is the prime contractor, in partnership with Northrop Grumman. Under the new designation system, the missile has been assigned the index AHM-4A.

According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, Australian F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft are being used for launches, while the F-15E Strike Eagle will serve as the primary U.S. platform.

The HACM features a two-stage design: a solid-fuel booster and a main stage with a direct-flow jet engine.

The program has already reduced the number of planned tests from seven to five to stay on schedule.

Currently, the U.S. Air Force’s goal is to make a decision on serial production of the missile in 2027, but the schedule has no margin for delay.

Thirteen missiles are planned to be manufactured as part of rapid prototyping, including test models and combat units.

Militarnyi recently reported that the U.S. Navy began flight tests of the Blackbeard hypersonic missile on an F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet.

During the test flight, two missiles were mounted on the aircraft, allowing for verification of their integration with the carrier.