Raytheon completes technical review of US Navy’s first anti-ship hypersonic missile

Raytheon, an RTX business, has completed a technical review and a seamless prototype fit-check in phase one of the U.S. Navy’s Hypersonic Air Launched Offensive Anti-Surface (HALO) program. 

As explained, HALO is a carrier-based high-speed missile that will allow the US Navy to operate in and control contested battlespaces in anti-access/area denial environments and will support their long-range fire strategy.

“This is a key step in fielding the Navy’s first anti-ship hypersonic missile,” said Colin Whelan, president of Advanced Technology at Raytheon.

“It’s critical that our warfighters have proven technology that can address advanced threats in contested environments, and they need this technology now. We’re leveraging our expertise in hypersonics to deliver a straightforward and mature, digitally engineered system at the pace the Navy needs.”

Digital and physical design concepts and models of Raytheon’s HALO prototype were created using digital and model-based engineering techniques.  

According to the company, this approach is accelerating the development of the HALO missile. A successful fit check on an F/A-18 was held in the fall, ensuring that the prototype is compatible with the US Navy’s Super Hornet aircraft and existing support equipment.

HALO will be a higher-speed, longer-range, air-launched weapon system providing anti-surface warfare capabilities to the U.S. Navy. It will address advanced threats from distances that allow the fleet to operate in, and control, a contested battle space. Raytheon was awarded a phase one HALO contract in March 2023.

Work on this program is being completed in Tucson, Arizona.