U.S. Navy Scraps HALO Hypersonic Missile Project

Fast Summary

• The U.S. Navy has canceled the Hypersonic Air launched Offensive (HALO) missile as part of its Offensive Anti-Surface Warfare Increment 2 (oasuw Inc 2) programme due to cost concerns.
• HALO was initially planned to meet Early Operational Capability by FY29 and Initial Operational Capability by FY31 but will no longer proceed.
• Rather of HALO, the U.S.navy is focusing on upgrading Lockheed Martin’s Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM), which is part of OASuW Increment 1, with improved targeting hardware and software.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The cancellation of HALO reflects an ongoing global trend where military technology programs face scrutiny over cost-effectiveness amidst tightening budgets. For India, this highlights lessons in balancing investments in advanced defense technology while ensuring fiscal prudence.As India continues developing hypersonic weapons and enhancing missile capabilities like BrahMos-II, analyzing how other nations prioritize upgrades over entirely new systems can inform strategic decision-making. This decision also underscores the importance of timeline adherence for weapons development-a critical factor for operational readiness in changing geopolitical environments.

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