The United States continues to push forward in the race to develop advanced hypersonic weapons. Raytheon, in collaboration with the U.S. Navy, has announced a major achievement in the development of the HALO (Hypersonic Air Launched Offensive Anti-Surface) missile program. Designed to reach speeds of Mach 5—over 6,174 km/h—the HALO is intended to give the Navy a decisive advantage in long-range, air-launched anti-ship operations.

The recently completed technical review marks the first phase of prototype production. Raytheon’s use of digital and model-based engineering techniques played a crucial role in this milestone. During the process, the HALO’s compatibility with the F/A-18 Hornet fighter jet was successfully tested, along with integration into existing support equipment. This represents an essential step toward fielding the Navy’s first hypersonic anti-ship missile.

Colin Whelan, President of Raytheon Advanced Technology, emphasized that HALO will provide an effective solution against emerging battlefield threats, combining extreme speed with advanced targeting technologies. With its long range and precision strike capability, the missile is expected to significantly strengthen the Navy’s operational power.

Raytheon and Lockheed Martin were awarded a $116 million contract for the first phase of the program. This stage focuses on the missile’s technical maturity, propulsion systems, and integration with naval carriers. Development work has been centered in Tucson, Arizona, with the program aiming to achieve operational capability by the late 2020s.

According to Captain Richard Gensley, Program Manager for the Navy’s Precision Strike Weapons initiative, the HALO effort aligns with the U.S. National Defense Strategy by enhancing range, lethality, and survivability in response to evolving global threats. As such, HALO stands out as one of the most significant hypersonic missile projects currently underway.