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1 1 (December 8, 2021)

handle is hein.crs/goveeyg0001 and id is 1 raw text is: ~ Congressional Research Service Informing the legiltive debate since 1914 December 8, 2021 The U.S. Army's Long Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) What Is the Army's Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon? The Army's Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) (Figure 1), with a reported range of 1,725 miles, consists of a ground-launched missile equipped with a hypersonic glide body and associated transport, support, and fire control equipment. According to the Army: This land-based, truck-launched system is armed with hypersonic missiles that can travel well over 3,800 miles per hour. They can reach the top of the Earth's atmosphere and remain just beyond the range of air and missile defense systems until they are ready to strike, and by then it's too late to react. Extremely accurate, ultrafast, maneuverable and survivable, hypersonics can strike anywhere in the world within minutes. For the battery, the task force and the U.S. Army, they provide a critical strategic weapon and a powerful deterrent against adversary capabilities. Figure 1. Artist Rendition of a Notional LRHW Unit Source: https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/weapons/ a3642 1213/army-hypersonic-weapon-1700-mile-range/, accessed November 18, 2021. The Army further notes: The Long Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) system will provide the Army a prototype strategic attack weapon system to defeat Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) capabilities, suppress adversary long range fires, and engage other high payoff/time critical targets. The Army is working closely with the Navy in the development of the LRHW. LRHW is common with the Common Hypersonic Glide Body (C-HGB), and the Navy 34.5 inch booster. Additionally, the LRHW is to use an existing command and control (C2) network, the Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS). LRHW Components Missile The missile component of the LRHW is reportedly being developed by Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman. When the hypersonic glide body is attached, it is referred to as the Navy-Army All Up Round plus Canister (AUR+C). The missile component is to serve as the common two-stage booster for the Army's LRHW and the Navy's Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) system, which is intended to be fired from both surface vessels and submarines. What Is Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2IAD)? A Department of Defense (DOD) term used to describe Chinese and Russian approaches that seek to prevent U.S. forces from gaining or using access to overseas bases or critical locations, such as ports and airfields, while denying U.S. forces the ability to maneuver within striking distance of their territory. Collectively, these actions could significantly constrain U.S. military interventions or raise their costs. Source: Chris Dougherty, Moving Beyond A2/AD, Center for a New American Security, December 3, 2020. Common Hypersonic Glide Body (C-HGB) The C-HGB is reportedly based on the Alternate Re-Entry System previously developed by the Sandia National Laboratories and the U.S. Army. Dynetics, a subsidiary of Leidos, is currently under contract to produce C-HGB prototypes for the Army, Navy, and the Missile Defense Agency. The C-HGB uses a booster rocket motor to accelerate to well-above hypersonic speeds, and then jettisons the expended rocket booster. According to Dynetics, the C-HGB is to be maneuverable, making it more difficult to detect and intercept and can travel at Mach 5 or higher ... at least five times faster than the speed of sound or up to 13,000 miles per hour. The C-HGB is intended to be able to destroy targets by virtue of its velocity alone. LRHW Organization and Units The LRHW is to be organized into batteries-a designation given to company-sized units of field and air defense artillery. Initially, each battery reportedly is to have four launchers, each with two missiles, a mobile battery operations center, and a number of support vehicles such as the Army's currently deployed Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT) to transport the LRHWs. Reportedly, the 5th Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, is to operate the first battery of eight LRHW missiles. The battalion, also https://crsreports.congress.gov

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