ALBAWABA - The prospect of the United States employing its mighty “Dark Eagle” hypersonic missile system against Iran is getting attention as military tensions in the area continue to mount under President Donald Trump.
The U.S. Central Command has asked for the Army’s long-range hypersonic weapon to be sent to the Middle East, which might be the system’s first operational use, Bloomberg reported. The report stated military strategists are examining ways for attacking deeply underground Iranian missile installations and launch systems that may be hard to target with conventional weapons.
The “Dark Eagle” missile can travel at speeds surpassing Mach 5, which enables it to escape many classic air defense systems and strike targets with very short reaction times. Bloomberg quoted analysts who said the weapon marks a significant leap forward in US strike capabilities, especially when it comes to reinforced underground infrastructure.
The Pentagon is also fast-tracking hypersonic weapons technologies amid increased fears over Iran and China, Reuters said. Defense authorities regard these systems as vital in future wars because speed and accuracy could be decisive in the battle space.
The “Dark Eagle” talks come as Washington believes Iran has shifted some of its missile facilities beyond the reach of some of the US’s existing tactical weapons. That worry seems to be a major driver behind proposals for more advanced attack options in the region.
But the notion of deploying such a weapon against Iran is still debatable. Defense experts mentioned in various stories have warned that deploying a hypersonic missile in an ongoing regional conflict may substantially increase tensions and convey a broader geopolitical message not only to Tehran but also to Moscow and Beijing.
There has been no official confirmation that the missile system has been deployed or authorized for combat use. But the increasing buzz over “Dark Eagle” is an indication of how swiftly the face-off with Iran is changing — from naval blockades and airstrikes to the possible use of next-generation weapons that might redefine modern warfare.
