U.S. Navy cancels hypersonic missile program amid budget cuts

The U.S. Navy has recently decided to cancel its Hypersonic Air-Launched Offensive Anti-Surface Warfare (HALO) missile program, primarily due to budgetary constraints which hinder the fielding of new capabilities as planned. This decision reflects a broader trend in the U.S. military, where budget limitations have led to the cancellation of several advanced weapon programs. The HALO missile was expected to be a significant asset, with Navy officials aiming for its deployment by the decade's end, but setbacks in reaching the necessary speeds classified as hypersonic contributed to its cancellation. This is not an isolated case, as the U.S. Air Force had already canceled its AGM-183 Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon two years ago, which similarly failed to reach hypersonic speeds. The current focus of the Navy has shifted toward long-range strike capabilities, particularly enhancing the AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM), which is already operational on various aircraft including the F/A-18 and B-1B. The Navy has emphasized the importance of sustained investment in Long Range Fires to achieve national defense goals despite the setbacks in hypersonic technologies. This change reflects evolving military strategies where cost-effectiveness and practicality in defense capabilities are gaining priority over some cutting-edge weapon systems.