Mysterious Launch Out Of Cape Canaveral Appears Imminent

[william]

All signs point to an imminent test launch of an exotic system, possibly of the hypersonic variety, from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

Mysterious Launch Out Of Cape Canaveral Appears Imminent

All signs point to an imminent test launch of an exotic system, possibly of the hypersonic variety, from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

www.thedrive.com

 

[william]

UPDATE:
Space Launch Delta 45 has forwarded my inquire to the Office Of Secretary Of Defense. We are still awaiting their reply.

In addition to all the assets and preparations previously listed, an NP-3D 'Billboard' telemetry capturing and range-clearing radar plane from VX-30, the Bloodhounds, based at Naval Air Station Point Mugu in Southern California, is also participating in this event.

This makes sense especially when it comes to the weapon's atmospheric flight profile and the possible need for clearing the range of potential hazards. The aircraft was seen operating out of San Juan, Puerto Rico. This makes sense due to its proximity to the impact area.

We also have found further information pointing to this being a test of LRHW in the Department Of Test and Evaluation's (DOT&E) 2022 annual report. It states, in part, the following under the Conventional Prompt Strike section:

"In June 2022, the Navy conducted the first JFC event, JFC-1, to test a single CPS all-up-round at the Pacific Missile Range Facility. The test was a DT event and did not require DOT&E approval; however, DOT&E observed the test event. JFC-1 experienced an in-flight anomaly that prevented data collection for portions of the planned flight profile. The Navy has determined the cause, implemented corrective actions, and is preparing to execute JFC-2.
The second flight test, JFC-2, will be launched from the prototype Army weapon control system, Battery Operations Center, and transporter-erector-launcher with soldier observation during the test. The test will occur at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida."

Aviation Photo #1992141: Lockheed NP-3D Orion - USA - Navy

This rare version based on P-3 Orion belongs to the VX-30 (Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Three Zero) named "Bloodhounds", stationed at NAS Point Mugu, California. - Photo taken at Lajes (Terceira Island - Lajes) (BA4) (TER / LPLA) in Azores, Portugal on August 29, 2009.

www.airliners.net

https://repository.arizona.edu/bitstream/handle/10150/627027/ITC_2017_17-17-03.pdf

 

[william]

UPDATE:
Florida Today got a statement from the Defense Department regarding the status of the launch:

"On March 5, the Department of Defense planned to conduct a flight test from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station to inform the department's hypersonic technology development... As a result of pre-flight checks, the test did not occur. Delivering hypersonic weapons remains a top priority for the Department of Defense."

This is an outright confirmation that this was to have been a hypersonic weapon test as we surmised. As for when this will be attempted again is unclear. As we noted in our original article, these test events are often delayed and sometimes that can be for a long period of time due to a number of factors, including conflicting with other scheduled launch activities.