Dear Friends,
After being officially named in 2025, the Pentagon’s Dark Eagle program is nearing operational fielding into INDOPACOM. If you’re not familiar with the project, Dark Eagle was built for the Army as a trailer-launched hypersonic missile system with an approximate range of 1,700 miles.
In a time like this, where China and Russia are years ahead in the global hypersonic arms race, the Dark Eagle is a formidable counterbalance to the PLA’s CJ-1000 missile. That said, the U.S. has significant work to do before our hypersonic missile stockpiles are capable of supporting prolonged engagement with our regional adversaries.
This is a critical reminder that regional partnerships like AUKUS are essential in enabling our operations in the Indo-Pacific. INDOPACOM needs firm forward positioning within reach of our adversaries to consistently maintain our deterrent against regional aggression.
Technology like the Dark Eagle is critical in protecting the future of U.S. national security. But we must recognize that no advanced munition can take the place of our allies. A consistent presence in the Indo-Pacific demands both strategic relationships and an arsenal with diverse offensive capabilities.
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Signed,
Hooff Cooksey
Executive Director, Veterans On Duty
