Raytheon, an RTX business, has hit yet another major milestone in the advancement process of the U.S. Navy’s Hypersonic Air Launched Offensive Anti-Surface (HALO) missile. The firm has just completed a successful technical review and prototype fit-check in an apparent smooth manner, thus progressing through the critical step in the first phase of the HALO program. This carrier-based, high-speed missile will dramatically increase the Navy’s warfighting ability to operate and control contested battlespaces, especially those with advanced anti-access/area denial capabilities.
Colin Whelan, president of Raytheon Advanced Technology, said, “This successful test is a key step in fielding the Navy’s first anti-ship hypersonic missile.” He added that warfighters need access to proven technologies to address advanced threats in contested areas; this technology needs to be in their possession today. Using its hypersonic experience, Raytheon is delivering a fieldable, digitally engineered system to the Navy in record time.
The HALO prototype was based on model digital engineering methodologies, which contributed greatly to the speed of its development. A successful fit check with an F/A-18 Super Hornet occurred this fall to verify serial design features that would result in compatibility with Navy aircraft and existing support equipment, a critical step in the process of integrating the missile into the Navy’s operational framework.
Raytheon and Lockheed Martin were each awarded a $116 million contract in March 2023 to carry out the first phase of the HALO. This is meant to focus on the technical maturation of the missile, preliminary design review of the propulsion system, and areas that answer whether the hypersonic system is suitable for naval carriers. Work for this program is to be done at the company’s Missile Systems business in Tucson, Arizona, with the HALO expected to attain operational capability in the late 2020s.
The HALO missile is going to replace the Harpoon, which has been the anti-ship missile since 1977. The latter has gone through several upgrades, but it may have reached its potential. HALO features advanced capabilities, making it the next generation of anti-ship weaponry for the U.S. Navy.
Development of the HALO missile is part of the Navy’s long-range fire investment approach, which will deliver long-range hypersonic weapons for the National Defense Strategy. Hypersonics were set as the No.1 priority, but in putting that capability together, the delta of risk between what’s currently out there and what is needed to answer today’s advanced threats is delivered.
The HALO missile offers an unmatched range and speed that make it a potential game-changer in the arsenal of the U.S. Navy. High-end digital engineering by Raytheon and the capability of being platform-neutral is the reason for this transformation in future naval warfare.