Each missile costs roughly $15 million, and there are no more than eight.
Coveragetap to expand ▾Spectrum: Mixed🌍US: 2 · Asia: 2 · ME: 1 · Other: 1
- The missile has a reported range of more than 2,776 kilometres.
- US may deploy new hypersonic missile against Iran as Trump weighs fresh strikes: Report The missile has a reported range of more than 2,776 kilometres.
- If Centcom’s request for the Dark Eagle hypersonic missile is approved, it would mark the first time the long-delayed weapon is deployed, and potentially used, should the US resume attacking Iran.
- Each Lockheed Martin missile costs about US$15 million, and there are no more than eight missiles.
- The Request for Forces submission justifies the move by saying Iran has moved its launchers out of range of the strike Missile, a weapon that can hit targets at more than 480km.
- A ceasefire between the US and Iran has been in place since April 9 but the request suggests that the US is preparing for more strikes if President Donald Trump decides to go ahead.
The United States is considering deploying the Dark Eagle hypersonic missile to the Middle East for potential use against Iran, according to recent reports. This move, requested by the US Central Command (Centcom), would mark the first deployment of this long-delayed weapon system, which has not yet been declared fully operational.
The Dark Eagle missile, developed by Lockheed Martin, costs approximately $15 million each, and there are no more than eight missiles currently available. The missile's reported range exceeds 2,776 kilometers, enabling it to strike targets deep within Iran while remaining beyond the reach of Iranian air defenses.
Centcom's request is based on intelligence indicating that Iran has repositioned its ballistic missile launchers to locations out of range of existing US strike capabilities. This strategic shift by Iran has prompted the US to consider deploying the Dark Eagle as a countermeasure.
The potential deployment comes amid stalled peace talks between the US and Iran, with reports suggesting that the US is planning 'short and powerful' strikes targeting Iranian infrastructure.
A ceasefire has been in place since April 9, but the request for the Dark Eagle suggests that the US is preparing for the possibility of renewed military action if President Donald Trump decides to proceed.
In addition to addressing the immediate threat posed by Iran's missile capabilities, the deployment of the Dark Eagle could also serve as a strategic signal to other global powers, particularly Russia and China. Both countries have already deployed their own hypersonic weapons, and the US's move could demonstrate its ability to match these capabilities.
While the deployment of the Dark Eagle is still under consideration, it highlights the ongoing tensions between the US and Iran and the broader geopolitical implications of hypersonic missile technology. The decision to deploy such a weapon would not only impact US-Iran relations but also influence the strategic calculations of other nations observing the situation.
The US's consideration of deploying the Dark Eagle underscores the complexities of modern military strategy, where technological advancements play a critical role in shaping international relations. As the situation develops, the potential deployment of hypersonic missiles will be closely watched by both allies and adversaries alike.
Left- and right-leaning outlets are covering this story differently — in which facts to emphasize, which context to include, and how to frame causes and consequences.