The HALO missile, which proved ultimately too expensive. (Image: Lockheed Martin)
The US Navy (USN) has cancelled its Hypersonic Air-Launched Offensive (HALO) missile development programme.
The HALO programme was developed to create a hypersonic anti-ship missile with a long-distance precision-strike capability. The missile was initially expected to be ready for deployment by 2029, and to be at full operational capability two years later.
The cancellation of the programme was a decision taken in Q4 2024, but the policy shift has just been announced, along with a re-statement of the USN’s commitment to long range anti-ship missile (LRASM) technology.
Shephard asked US Navy spokesperson Captain Ron Flanders why the HALO programme had
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