Source: Lockheed MartinLockheed Martin has been awarded a $1 billion contract modification to continue its support for the U.S. Navy’s Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) hypersonic weapons program, the Department of Defense announced.
The contract covers a range of efforts, including program management, engineering development, systems integration, procurement of long-lead materials, and development of specialized tools and equipment. Work will be performed at multiple Lockheed facilities across the United States, including Denver, Colorado (49 percent); Huntsville, Alabama (35 percent); Sunnyvale, California (5 percent); Titusville, Florida (2 percent); and various other locations accounting for the remaining 9 percent. Work under the contract is scheduled to continue through Aug. 31, 2028.
The CPS initiative is part of a joint Army-Navy program to field a common hypersonic weapon system. At its core is a shared glide body and missile that will be used in Army and Navy launch canisters. The Army’s variant, known as the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) or “Dark Eagle,” will be deployed from mobile ground-based launchers. The Navy’s CPS system will be sea-based and integrated into surface ships and submarines.
Although CPS is the Navy-led portion of the program, the newly awarded contract uses Army research and development funding. It includes $30 million from fiscal year 2024 and $110 million from FY25. The 2024 funds are set to expire at the end of the current fiscal year on Sept. 30, 2025.
The Navy’s efforts to procure and field the hypersonic weapon have faced delays. While the service initially sought $341.4 million in FY24 to procure eight hypersonic missiles, Congress removed the funding during the markup process. As a result, procurement has been deferred to FY26, when the Navy now plans to purchase six rounds. Additional procurement is projected at 22 missiles in FY27, 16 in FY28, and 17 in FY29. The pending FY26 budget request will reveal whether this plan has changed. The Navy also received $903.9 million for continued CPS development in FY25.
The Navy originally planned to field CPS aboard nuclear-powered guided missile submarines, but the DDG 1000 Zumwalt class destroyer will now serve as the first platform to host the weapon. However, initial testing aboard the Zumwalt class has been delayed and is now expected in 2027 or 2028.
Meanwhile, the Army’s FY25 budget includes $538 million for continued development of Dark Eagle. That funding will taper off over the next several years as the system transitions from development to production and fielding. The service also requested $744.2 million for LRHW procurement in FY25, which was $272.3 million less than previously planned. The funding would support the purchase of eight missiles and ground support equipment for a third LRHW battery. Congress recommended a $75 million reduction to the FY25 funding allocation.
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Shaun's deep-rooted interest in military equipment continues in his role as a senior defense analyst with a focus on the United States. He played an integral role in the development of Forecast International's U.S. Defense Budget Forecast, an interactive online product that tracks Pentagon acquisition programs throughout the congressional budget process. As editor of International Military Markets – North America, Shaun has cultivated a deep understanding of the vast defense markets in the United States and Canada. He is a regular contributor to Forecast International's Defense & Security Monitor blog and has co-authored white papers on global defense spending and various military programs.
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- Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) Hypersonic Missile: Lockheed Martin
