Secretive ‘Dark Eagle’ hypersonic missile launches from Cape Canaveral
After a successful test from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station last December, the Army on Thursday officially named its long-range hypersonic weapon “Dark Eagle.” The system designed to “disintegrate adversary capabilities” was at it again Friday morning.
Liftoff of the LRHW Dark Eagle this morning
https://t.co/lCJhUXxT84 pic.twitter.com/YJXXuSxmJK
— Jerry Pike (@JerryPikePhoto) April 25, 2025
Images posted to social media showed the missile launch from Canaveral’s Space Launch Complex 46 while the Eastern Range had posted maritime and airspace keep-out notices, although no details about the mission had been announced.
“A combined team of government, academic and industry partners conducted a test on behalf of the Department of Defense from a test site at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station,” according to an emailed statement from the Office of the Secretary of Defense. “We are currently evaluating the results of the test.”
Shortly after liftoff, the vehicle split into two distinct sections, with one appearing to tumble away, and the other continuing to propel itself forward until it disappeared into the sky pic.twitter.com/Fa75Zdenr1