US Seeks to Deploy Hypersonic Missile for the First Time Against Iran

A tactical truck transports a Long Range Hypersonic Weapon Transporter Erector Launchers on Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.Photographer: 1st Lt. David Kim/US Army

US Central Command has asked to send the Army’s long-delayed Dark Eagle hypersonic missile to the Middle East for possible use against Iran, seeking a longer-range system to hit ballistic-missile launchers deep inside the country.

If approved, it would mark the first time the US will have deployed its hypersonic missile, which is running far behind schedule and hasn’t been declared fully operational even as Russia and China have deployed their own versions.