In order to respond as quickly as possible, the US Navy allocated new resources for its Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) missiles on June 26, 2024.
These future hypersonic paraglider missiles will enable faster attacks with greater range and improved survivability against enemy defenses: CPS missiles will be maneuverable and reach speeds of over Mach 5, five times the speed of sound.
US defense company Lockheed Martin leads the CPS program. The new contract amendment will provide the supplier with $534 million to support design, development and testing. Work under this as-yet-unspecified contract is expected to be completed on June 19, 2025.
CPS plans in action
There are plans to integrate this next-generation missile system into the Zumwalt-class (DDG 1000) – the first entered service in 2016, another entered service in 2019, while the third and final unit is expected to enter service in 2027 – and Virginia-class nuclear-powered fast attack submarines (SSN 774).
Lockheed Martin originally received a contract worth over $2 billion from the Navy to deploy the CPS weapon system on Zumwalt Destroyer in February 2023. It will provide launch systems, weapon control and overall ammunition and provide platform integration support for the naval platform.
The combination of the CPS with the camouflage and mobility of the Zumwalt Ships will have a competitive advantage in distracting adversaries because they can anticipate where a shot is coming from on long-range radars. The integration will give the US the first sea-based hypersonic strike capability.
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By GlobalData
In addition, the system will also be intended for land applications in the US Army as part of the so-called “Dark Eagle” program.
Slow development
Hypersonic systems are forecast to take an increasing share of the missile and missile defense market over the next decade. According to GlobalData Intelligence, the CPS program dominates planned U.S. spending for 2023, accounting for 44.1% of the missile defense budget.
While funding allocations are increasing, the CPS faces some development challenges. It has already failed two tests: the first in October 2021 and the first in July 2022.
Currently, the United States is prioritizing the development of hypersonic glide vehicles over hypersonic cruise missiles, with 78.9 percent of the proposed 2023 budget being spent on these investments. However, such platforms are still in the early stages of development.
