The U.S. Army has completed the first full-scale test of a hypersonic warhead by firing it from a large-caliber cannon at the Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona. This method allows for an assessment of the warhead’s vulnerability and effectiveness when striking a target without the use of missiles.
Artillery System Modification
On July 30, 2026, the first full-scale test of a hypersonic warhead using an artillery system took place at the Yuma Proving Ground. The test was conducted jointly by specialists from the test range, the DEVCOM Weapons Center, and the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
The test utilized the Heavy Artillery Test System (HATS)—a stationary installation developed from the canceled Strategic Long Range Cannon (SLRC) program, which had originally envisioned the creation of a mobile cannon capable of striking targets at ranges exceeding 1,600 km.
Advantages of the New Method
This approach allows the warhead to be accelerated to the required speed without using a rocket engine, which significantly reduces costs and speeds up testing. A cannon shot does not simulate the operation of a cruise engine, hypersonic flight, or missile maneuvering. It allows researchers to focus exclusively on the moment of impact with the target and the reliability of the design.
