Raytheon, an RTX business, has effectively concluded a technical evaluation and a prototype fit-check during the initial stage of the US Navy’s Hypersonic Air Launched Offensive Anti-Surface (HALO) programme.
Designed to be launched from the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, HALO is a hypersonic missile designed for carrier-based operations and will allow the US Navy to effectively operate in and dominate contested battle spaces in anti-access/area denial scenarios, thereby bolstering their long-range fires strategy.
“This is a key step in fielding the Navy’s first anti-ship hypersonic missile,” said Colin Whelan, president of Advanced Technology at Raytheon. “It’s critical that our warfighters have proven technology that can address advanced threats in contested environments, and they need this technology now. We’re leveraging our expertise in hypersonics to deliver a straightforward and mature, digitally engineered system at the pace the Navy needs.”
Digital and physical design concepts and models for Raytheon’s HALO prototype were created using digital and model-based engineering techniques, and completed in a matter of months. This approach has greatly accelerated the development of the HALO missile.
A successful fit-check was conducted on an F/A-18 last autumn, ensuring that the prototype was compatible with the US Navy’s Super Hornet aircraft and existing support equipment.
Raytheon was awarded a phase one HALO contract in March 2023, and work on this programme is being completed in Tucson, Arizona.
