The US successfully tests the Dark Eagle hypersonic missile.

International military news update, December 13, 2024: The US successfully tested the Dark Eagle hypersonic missile. This is Washington's next-generation hypersonic weapon.

The US successfully tested its new hypersonic missile for the first time; Russia's Su-57 received enhanced stealth capabilities… these are the headlines in today's World Military News.

The US has successfully tested a new medium-range hypersonic missile.

According to the US Center for Strategic and Technological Analysis, the US military has tested the LRHW (Low-Range Hypersonic Missile) or Dark Eagle system.

The Dark Eagle rocket was launched from the Cape Canaveral Spaceport. This was likely the first successful test.

The LRHW has a range of up to 3,000 km. Additionally, the missile is equipped with a hypersonic glide vehicle, which the designers claim can reach speeds exceeding 6,000 km/h.

The Dark Eagle rocket test launch was conducted at the Cape Canaveral Spaceport. Photo: Defense News

This missile is being developed by Lockheed Martin. It is designed to carry out a large-scale, surprise missile attack aimed at penetrating missile defense systems or protected targets.

Details regarding the Dark Eagle remain classified, but it is part of the U.S. strategy to develop new offensive weapons after Washington withdrew from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF Treaty) in 2020. The agreement prohibited signatory parties from possessing ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with a range of 500 to 5,500 km.

North Korea is developing self-propelled artillery using NATO-standard caliber ammunition.

North Korea has developed and manufactured a self-propelled artillery system that uses NATO-standard 155mm artillery shells, which are common in South Korea and Western countries.

Military expert on North Korea, Vitaly Lebedev, wrote in the Russian Defense Magazine that the recent appearance of new self-propelled artillery is "clearly justified." "Firstly, current developments have demonstrated the advantages of 155mm artillery over 152mm artillery; secondly, it is noteworthy that the South Korean army is using artillery according to NATO standards," expert Vitaly Lebedev emphasized.

According to Lebedev, this is because if the enemy's artillery is captured, North Korean soldiers will also be able to use this type of ammunition.

The new engine will enhance the stealth capabilities of the Su-57 aircraft.

The new engine with variable vectoring nozzles that Russia's fifth-generation Su-57 fighter jet may receive will help increase the aircraft's stealth capabilities.

The American magazine Military Watch Magazine (MWM) based its assessment on photographs of the aircraft with the new AL-51F1 jet engine (“Product 30”).

The Su-57 is equipped with advanced thrust vectoring engines. Photo: Lenta

The publication states: “The integration of the AL-51F1 engine is expected to enhance stealth capabilities, facilitate high-speed operation, reduce operating costs and maintenance requirements, and increase the power of onboard subsystems such as radar.”

MWM also suggested that the new engines would make the Su-57 one of the most powerful fifth-generation fighter jets ever built.

In November 2024, Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu announced that the Su-57 fighter jet had performed well in special military operations. Along with this, the first photos showed the Su-57's interior fitted with R-74 short-range missiles, enhancing the aircraft's stealth capabilities in combat.

The US Army is upgrading its Bradley infantry fighting vehicle.

The U.S. Army has signed a $656.2 million contract with BAE Systems Land Armaments LP, based in York, Pennsylvania, to upgrade its active-duty or reserve Bradley infantry fighting vehicles to the M2A4 and M7A4 levels.

This operation is funded by grants to Ukraine and aims to compensate the U.S. military for supplying weapons to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Since the start of the conflict in Ukraine, the U.S. has delivered more than 300 Bradley armored vehicles in the M2A2 ODS and M2A3 variants to Kyiv. These deliveries have depleted the U.S. military's weapons stockpiles.

M2A4E1 Bradley version. Photo: Topwar

The centerpiece of the new contract is the M2A4E1 variant. It is equipped with the Israeli-developed Iron Fist active defense system. According to the Pentagon, this system detects (using AESA radar and infrared cameras) and neutralizes threats such as anti-tank missiles, grenade launchers, and drones.

Additional improvements to the M2A4E1 include enhanced mobility for navigating challenging terrain and an air conditioning system designed to improve soldier comfort in harsh environments. The main armament consists of a 25mm Bushmaster cannon and a coaxial 7.62mm machine gun.

"This program pursues two objectives: ensuring the continued combat effectiveness of the military, despite the transfer of equipment to Ukraine, and enhancing the military's technological and tactical potential," a representative from the U.S. Department of Defense stated.

Germany is supplying additional Leopard-2A4 tanks to the Czech Republic.

The German company Rheinmetall has revealed some details about a contract signed with the Czech Ministry of Defence for the supply of additional Leopard-2A4 main battle tanks.

The agreement was signed on December 3rd between Mr. Bjorn Bernhard, General Director of Rheinmetall Landsysteme GmbH, and Lubor Koudelka, General Director of the Procurement and Arms Department of the Czech Ministry of Defence.

The total value of the contract with the Czech army is estimated at around 161 million euros. The order is for 14 modernized Leopard-2A4 tanks, to be delivered by the end of 2026. In addition to the tanks, the agreement also includes a large package of ammunition and logistics.

Leopard-2A4 main battle tank of the Czech Army. Photo: ArmyRecognition

The tanks for the Czech army were mainly received from the Swiss Armed Forces and converted to the configuration required by this Central European country.

Previously, Germany signed agreements to transfer 28 Leopard-2A4 tanks and 2 Buffel-3 recovery vehicles from its reserves to the Czech Armed Forces to compensate for the weapons supplied to Ukraine. Following the new contract, the Czech Armed Forces will be equipped with 42 Leopard-2A4 tanks and 2 Buffel-3 recovery vehicles. The delivery of the first 28 tanks is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2025.

Thanks to this re-equipment, a full tank battalion meeting NATO standards will be formed within the Czech Armed Forces.

Source: https://congthuong.vn/ban-tin-quan-su-the-gioi-ngay-13122024-my-thu-nghiem-thanh-cong-ten-lua-sieu-vuot-am-dark-eagle-364030.html