WASHINGTON (FN) — The U.S. military is advancing plans to mount new hypersonic weapons on mobile ground launchers, a move defense officials say will strengthen America’s ability to deter major rivals such as China and Russia.
The Pentagon confirmed that the Army is working to integrate the Blackbeard hypersonic strike system with its High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS. The weapon, capable of traveling more than five times the speed of sound, is designed to evade missile defense systems and hit high-value targets with precision at long range.
Defense leaders say adapting the weapon for mobile launch will make U.S. forces harder to detect and more flexible in combat. “Mobility gives us the advantage to strike from unpredictable positions while reducing vulnerability to enemy counterfire,” said Lt. Gen. Paul Stanton, deputy chief of staff for Army operations.
President Donald Trump’s latest defense budget proposal includes 25 million Dollars to speed up integration of hypersonic weapons onto mobile platforms. He said the investment would ensure the United States “stays far ahead of any adversary trying to challenge our military dominance.”
Members of Congress largely welcomed the effort but urged caution about costs and escalation risks. Senate Armed Services Committee Chair Jack Reed said while mobile hypersonic systems strengthen deterrence, “they also raise questions about control and response times in a crisis.”
Allied officials voiced both support and concern. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said the new capability “helps preserve allied security,” but warned that major powers must remain committed to dialogue on arms control to avoid destabilizing competition.
Defense analysts say the shift could transform future battlefields. “Combining hypersonic speed with mobile deployment is a tactical revolution,” said Laura Kinsey, a senior defense researcher. “It gives the U.S. reach, survivability, and unpredictability in one package.”
Field testing of the system is expected to be completed by late 2025, with limited deployment projected for 2026. “This is not just about faster missiles,” Stanton said. “It’s about reimagining how and where America projects power in a rapidly changing world.”
