Lockheed Martin showed a new image of the OpFires hypersonic missile system

Lockheed Martin showed a new image of the OpFires hypersonic missile system

Lockheed Martin is working with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to develop a ground-based hypersonic gliding missile system for the United States Army.

Work on the OpFires (Operational Fires) complex started in 2017.

OpFires is planned to be placed on a PLS five-axle multipurpose chassis. The launcher will carry three hypersonic gliding missiles. It is planned to use a combat stage from an AGM-183A ARRW air-launched missile as a carrier.

According to DARPA's plans, the finished project should be considered at the end of this year, after which the assembly of the prototype will begin. Flight tests of the rocket are planned to begin in 2022, and to receive the complex ready for adoption only by the end of the 20s.

The US Army did not order the development of this complex, all work is funded by DARPA from its own funds.