US Central Command has reportedly requested the deployment of a new hypersonic missile, known as the “Dark Eagle”, to let it strike targets deeper in Iran.
The “Dark Eagle” missile has gone through something of a troubled development, and has yet to be declared fully operational – a slight embarrassment for the US, given Russia and China have each already deployed their own hypersonics. The Americans were supposed to have their version ready for use by 2022, but have run years overschedule.
According to Bloomberg CENTCOM has now requested that the US Army deploy i.
“The Request for Forces submission justifies the move by saying Iran has moved its launchers out of range of the Precision Strike Missile, a weapon that can hit targets at more than 300 miles, a person with direct knowledge of the request said,” it reports.
“The person asked not to be identified discussing a request that hasn’t been made public. No decision has been made yet on the request, the person said. US Central Command declined to comment.”
The Dark Eagle reportedly has a range of more than 1725 miles (2800 kilometres), glides towards its target at more than five times the speed of sound, and can maneuver mid-flight to avoid defences.
But each one apparently costs $US15 million to make, and at present not many exist.
Donald Trump says Iran is “choking like a stuffed pig” and he won’t lift the US blockade of its ports until it agrees to properly address concerns about its nuclear program.
Speaking to Axios, Mr Trump explicitly rejected an Iranian proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in return for an end to the blockade.
“The blockade is somewhat more effective than the bombing. They are choking like a stuffed pig. And it’s going to be worse for them. They can’t have a nuclear weapon,” Mr Trump said, adding that he believed Iran’s pipelines were “close to exploding” because of its inability to export oil.
“They want to settle. They don’t want me to keep the blockade. I don’t want to (lift it), because I don’t want them to have a nuclear weapon.
“The question is whether or not they are gonna go far enough. At this moment there will never be a deal unless they agree that there will never be nuclear weapons.”
Read on for the latest updates.
