Joint Success
Breaking Barriers: US Army's Hypersonic Weapon in Joint Exercise
US Army's LRHW Battery shines in joint military exercise Bamboo Eagle.
In the ever-evolving landscape of modern warfare, the integration of advanced technologies is crucial for maintaining a strategic edge. The U.S. Army's Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) Battery, part of the 1st Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF), recently demonstrated its capabilities during Exercise Bamboo Eagle. This eight-day joint exercise, led by the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center, took place from August 2-10, 2024, across various locations in the United States. It marked a significant milestone as it was the first time U.S. Army land-based fires were integrated into an Air Force-led exercise.
A Collaborative Milestone
Exercise Bamboo Eagle brought together over 3,000 service members from four military branches, along with participants from the Royal Air Force and Royal Australian Air Force. This collaboration underscores the importance of interoperability and joint operations in modern military strategy. U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Alex Rich emphasized the exercise's goal of preparing for any situation by training in diverse environments and collaborating with other military branches. Such exercises are vital for understanding and utilizing new tools and tactics, ultimately strengthening combined efforts.
The Role of the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon Battery
The LRHW Battery's participation in Bamboo Eagle was a testament to its "First-Round" lineage, showcasing its combat capabilities. Bravo Battery, 5th Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment (LRFB), 1MDTF, played a pivotal role in the exercise. The battery's ability to deploy equipment and personnel across more than 1,000 miles and three states was a key factor in its successful integration. Despite extreme heat, the battery maintained a high level of readiness and operational tempo, participating in every pulse iteration and achieving a new level of total force integration.
The LRHW system, known for its "Dark Eagle" Transporter Erector Launcher, represents a major advancement in military technology. Capable of delivering hypersonic missiles at speeds exceeding 3,800 miles per hour, the system can reach the upper layers of Earth's atmosphere, making it difficult for conventional air and missile defense systems to detect and intercept. This capability allows the missiles to approach targets undetected and strike with unprecedented speed and precision.
Learning and Adapting
The integration of the LRHW Battery into Air Force operations provided valuable insights into the benefits of combining land-based fires with Air Force sustainment efforts. U.S. Army Capt. Jennifer Lee, commander of Bravo Battery, noted the unique opportunity to test capabilities in a joint fashion and learn from Air Force partners. This collaboration is expected to continue building on the success achieved during Bamboo Eagle.
The development of the LRHW has been a multi-year endeavor, with soldiers playing a crucial role in the prototyping process since 2019. Following the initial hardware delivery in March 2021, the unit conducted new equipment training to familiarize soldiers with the system. By the end of fiscal year 2023, the focus shifted to training, doctrine development, and refining tactics, techniques, and procedures.
Strategic Importance in the Indo-Pacific
As a theater-level unit and Joint Force enabler, the 1st MDTF is assigned to the Indo-Pacific, playing a vital role in synchronizing long-range precision fires and effects to create multiple dilemmas and neutralize adversary anti-access and area denial networks. The 1MDTF's innovation, agility, and lethality have led the Army to direct five full MDTFs in strategically significant locations worldwide.
The successful deployment of the LRHW system during Exercise Thunderbolt Strike in February 2023, where it was moved over 3,000 miles to Cape Canaveral, Florida, further demonstrated the Army's ability to rapidly deploy hypersonic systems. This capability is crucial for responding to global threats and maintaining a strategic advantage.
The integration of the U.S. Army's Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon Battery in Exercise Bamboo Eagle highlights the strategic importance of hypersonic technology in modern warfare. By collaborating with the Air Force and other military branches, the Army is enhancing its capabilities and readiness for future challenges. As the Army continues to develop and deploy these advanced systems, it will maintain a critical edge in multi-domain operations, capable of responding swiftly and decisively to emerging threats around the world.