The HACM hypersonic missile has entered flight testing after a test unit was released over a designated range in Australia, the U.S. Air Force confirmed.
TWZ reported that the Royal Australian Air Force released the test unit as part of the bilateral Southern Cross Integrated Flight Research Experiment, or SCIFiRE. The Air Force did not identify the launch aircraft, test date or range.
The disclosure moves HACM from development into flight test, but it does not establish that the weapon completed a powered hypersonic flight. Officials have not released that result.
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What the HACM Hypersonic Missile Test Established
The Air Force told TWZ that the flight test collected performance data and reflected continuing U.S.-Australian cooperation under SCIFiRE. The service did not say whether the missile’s booster ignited or whether its scramjet operated during the event.
That distinction matters because HACM is designed around a rocket booster that accelerates the weapon before a scramjet sustains hypersonic flight. The Defense Watch describes the design as intended for speeds above Mach 5, but the Air Force has not published a speed from this test.
HACM Program and Schedule Pressure
Raytheon, now part of RTX, was selected in 2022 to develop HACM, with Northrop Grumman providing the propulsion system. The Defense Watch reported a task order valued at nearly $985.3 million for the development effort.
The program is working toward rapid fielding in fiscal 2027. The Defense Watch, citing prior government reporting, said the flight-test plan was reduced from seven tests to five after schedule delays, leaving little margin before the planned fielding window.
The fiscal 2027 target keeps the remaining test campaign closely tied to the fielding schedule. Until additional results are released, the first Australian release should be treated as a test milestone rather than evidence that the full weapon profile has been completed.
What the Air Force Has Not Disclosed
Neither source identified the aircraft that carried the HACM hypersonic missile for this release. The Air Force did not confirm a launch platform for the event.
The service also did not provide the release date, flight duration, achieved speed or the specific Australian range. Those gaps limit what can be said about how much of the full flight profile was demonstrated.
FAQ: HACM Hypersonic Missile
What is the HACM hypersonic missile?
HACM is an Air Force air-launched cruise missile program using a rocket booster and scramjet propulsion for hypersonic flight.
Did the HACM hypersonic missile complete a powered flight?
The Air Force confirmed a test-unit release in Australia but did not say whether powered flight occurred.
What aircraft launched the HACM test article?
The Air Force has not identified the launch aircraft for this test.
Looking Ahead
The next verifiable milestones are additional flight tests and the fiscal 2027 fielding decision. Watch for the Air Force to disclose powered-flight results, a launch platform or a production award.
Sources
- TWZ — First HACM test release over Australia
- The Defense Watch — Air Force HACM flight test in Australia
