The Royal Australian Air Force is integrating the US Air Force’s Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile (HACM) with its F/A-18F Super Hornets.
This is in addition to the missile’s planned testing by the US Air Force at Australian ranges as part of its development, as revealed by a US Government Accountability Office report in June.
The missile is part of the collaborative Southern Cross Integrated Flight Research Experiment (SCIFiRE) agreement between the US and Australia.
The 15-year agreement calls for research into hypersonic scramjets, rocket motors, sensors, and advanced manufacturing materials.
“Through the SCIFiRE agreement, the US and Australia continue to collaborate on HACM design and development, including efforts to integrate HACM on RAAF F/A-18Fs and using Australian test infrastructure for flight tests,” Australian Defence quoted the Australian Ministry of Defence as saying.
According to the outlet, the decision is driven by the 2024 Integrated Investment Plan, which mentions the Super Hornets flying until 2040 and being outfitted with an unspecified hypersonic missile as part of an upgrade plan.
Australian Hypersonic Test Sites
The US Air Force plans to buy 13 HACM rounds for the testing, which is expected to start as soon as October and run through March 2027.
It is not clear when the Australia part of testing will commence.
Choosing Australia for testing is due to the lack of hypersonic testing infrastructure and facilities in the US, according to the Government Accountability Office.
“Australian weapons ranges offer operational flexibility for long range tests such as those planned under SCIFiRE,” Australian Defence quoted an Ministry of Defence source as saying.
“Some events in the test campaign in support of SCIFiRE will be conducted over Australian ranges, including Woomera.”
Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile
Raytheon, in collaboration with Northrop Grumman, has been developing the air-launched missile since 2022, with initial US Air Force fielding expected in 2027.
Its initial integration is expected with the F-15E Strike Eagle, with eventual outfitting onto other platforms.
The scramjet-powered two-stage missile comprises a rocket booster and a scramjet cruiser, which detaches from the booster and swoops down onto the target.
Specific details about the missile are limited, but it has been designed to strike high-value targets in contested airspace from standoff ranges.