Last week, the U.S. Navy’s Strategic Systems Programs (SSP) reached a significant milestone in the development of its sea-based hypersonic capability with a successful end-to-end flight test of the ‘Dark Eagle’ conventional hypersonic missile at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. This test demonstrated the Navy’s innovative cold-gas launch approach, crucial for the Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) system that will be deployed on Navy platforms. Notably, the ‘Dark Eagle’ missile will be fielded to both the Navy and the Army, equipping the Army’s Multi-Domain Task Forces (MDTF) as well. The cold-gas launch system allows the safe ejection of the missile from naval vessels before its engine ignites. The CPS program has undergone extensive testing, including the use of an In-Air Launch test facility, to validate the launch method for its initial deployment on the USS ZUMWALT.