US Army release the first image of perspective hypersonic launch vehicle (DARPA OpFires project)

DARPA OpFire (Operational Fires) is Ground-launched hypersonic missile that can dispense various hypersonic and conventional payloads

The goal of the Operational Fires (OpFires) program is to develop and demonstrate a novel ground-launched system enabling hypersonic boost glide weapons to penetrate modern enemy air defenses and rapidly and precisely engage critical time sensitive targets.

OpFires seeks to develop an advanced booster capable of delivering a variety of payloads at a variety of ranges. Additional considerations include the need for compatible mobile ground launch platforms enabling integration with existing ground forces and infrastructure, and specific system attributes required for rapid deployment and redeployment. The OpFires program will conduct a series of subsystem tests designed to evaluate component design and system compatibility, and culminate in integrated end-to-end flight tests.

Operational Fires (OpFires). The Army and DARPA’s mutual program that is likely to be in the same position to the LRHW as the TBG is to the ARRW: this is a simplified demonstrator (probably with smaller dimensions, in this case) of technology for refining ground system and glider solutions.

The main contractor of the third program stage that is underway at the moment, as part of which flight testing is planned in 2022, is Lockheed Martin. The two previous phases concentrated on the development and ground testing of compact solid missile engines and included such participants as Aerojet Rocketdyne, Dynetics, Exquadrum and Sierra Nevada.