The United States could use one of its most powerful weapons, the hypersonic "Dark Eagle" missile, for the first time in a possible scenario against Iran.
The Dark Eagle, officially known as the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW), is a long-range missile with speeds exceeding Mach 5, meaning it travels more than five times faster than sound. It is capable of hitting targets deep inside enemy territory and evading air defense systems.
According to reports, US Central Command (CENTCOM) has requested the deployment of this system in the Middle East, after Iran moved some of its missile launchers beyond the range of current US weapons.
If approved, this would be the first operational use of the Dark Eagle by the US, as the system has not yet been declared fully operational. The missiles are limited in number and cost about $15 million per unit.
This development is seen as a strong strategic signal to Iran, but also to global rivals such as Russia and China.
