The U.S. Air Force conducted the first flight test release of the Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile (HACM) over Woomera Test Range in Australia in partnership with the Royal Australian Air Force. The scramjet-powered weapon, developed by Raytheon and Northrop Grumman, aims to reach acquisition decision in 2027 after multiple delays.
What's happening
- RAAF F/A-18F Super Hornets executed the HACM release over Woomera Test Range as part of Southern Cross Integrated Flight Research Experiment (SCIFiRE), a joint U.S.-Australia test program.
- The two-stage missile uses a rocket booster and scramjet cruiser that separates and dives toward target at hypersonic speed, exceeding Mach 5.
- First flight test was the culmination of extensive ground testing designed to measure performance under realistic flight conditions.
Why it matters
- HACM represents critical progress toward a long-range air-breathing hypersonic strike weapon capability for the U.S. Air Force and allied partner.
- First-stage completion reduces schedule risk ahead of 2027 acquisition decision, though the Air Force already scaled testing from 7 to 5 planned flights.
- Test range partnership with Australia leverages more than 15 years of bilateral cooperation and provides secure inland location for sensitive hypersonic development.
Going deeper
- HAWC (Hypersonic Air-breathing Weapon Concept), a DARPA predecessor program, fed technology into HACM development.
- Scramjet engines require initial boost to high Mach velocity before air-breathing capability activates, driving the two-stage configuration.
- Whether the missile flew under its own power after release and full performance parameters remain unconfirmed in public statements.
The intrigue
- Air Force reduced planned test flights from 7 to 5 and has zero margin remaining in the rapid prototyping schedule, raising questions about whether 2027 acquisition decision timeline is achievable if unexpected issues emerge.
The fine print
- The release occurred at an unspecified date in fiscal year 2026, and no confirmed imagery of HACM has been released by the Air Force or Raytheon.
- Designation AHM-4A reflects assignment in new U.S. military nomenclature system for aircraft and missiles.
- F-15E Strike Eagle will be the initial launch platform, with additional platforms expected to follow in future test phases.
Source: twz.com · Oct 5, 2026 · Drafted with Claude, reviewed by Industrial Base Alpha.