US Central Command has formally requested the deployment of the Army's new Dark Eagle hypersonic missile to the Middle East, potentially marking the first combat use of the advanced weapon system. The target: Iranian ballistic missile launchers located deep within the country.
According to officials, the request stems from Iran's recent repositioning of its launchers beyond the range of the Precision Strike Missile, which can reach targets up to 300 miles. The Dark Eagle's hypersonic speed and extended range would allow US forces to strike these hardened, mobile sites more effectively.
If approved, the deployment would not only give the US a new tactical option against Iran but also serve as a strategic signal to rivals Russia and China, both of which have already fielded operational hypersonic weapons. The move would demonstrate that the United States has finally closed the gap in this critical technology.
The request is under review at the Pentagon, with no official decision announced yet.