CONVENTIONAL PROMPT STRIKE (CPS)

Mission — CONVENTIONAL PROMPT STRIKE (CPS) source

Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) capability will enable precise and timely strike in contested environments across multiple platforms. In coordination with the Army, the Navy CPS Program is designing a common All Up Round (AUR) comprised of a Common Hypersonic Glide Body (C-HGB) and a 34.5" two-stage booster. The Navy is responsible for C-HGB design and plans to assume responsibility for C-HGB production from the Army in FY 2026. The Navy will design, develop, and produce the missile booster, and will integrate the missile booster with the C-HGB. Each service will use the resulting common hypersonic missile while developing individual weapon control systems and launchers tailored for launch from sea or land. Development efforts under this program element lead to a weapon system capability that: (1) is non-ballistic over the majority of the flight path; (2) controls stage drop; (3) provides positive control and precision accuracy from launch to impact; (4) provides adequate cross-range/maneuverability to avoid over-flight issues; (5) provides prompt lethal effects on targets; and (6) is man-safe and deployable for surface and submerged platforms. The FY 2026 cost of the CPS Middle Tier of Acquisition effort is $798.337 million, including RDT&E and procurement of prototype units. The Department will certify FYDP funding in a future budget submission.

Mission — Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) source

The Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) Weapon System will deliver a hypersonic conventional offensive strike capability through a depressed boost-glide trajectory to prosecute deep-inland, time-critical, soft and medium-hardened targets in contested environments. The CPS Weapon System will enhance U.S. conventional power projection through longer range, shorter time of flight, and higher survivability against enemy defenses compared to current capabilities. The CPS weapon system or major elements of the weapon system will be deployed onboard multiple launch platforms. The CPS program is a partnered effort between services. Specifically, the Navy and Army are collaborating to design and deliver a common All Up Round (AUR) in accordance with an inter-service Memorandum of Agreement. To meet Navy requirements and Army priorities, the Navy is designing and developing the Common Hypersonic Glide Body (CHGB) and 34.5" Booster, and integrating the C-HGB with the Navy-produced 34.5" booster to create a common AUR. The Navy plans to assume responsibility for production of the C-HGB from the Army in FY 2026. To enable weapon system integration to meet Navy mission requirements, near-term design, development, and experimentation are required across the weapon system's components. Design and development efforts will focus on boosters; thermal protection systems; navigation, guidance and control systems; capability enhancements; payload modules; weapon control systems and interfaces to existing fire control systems; support equipment; and launcher systems. Component and subsystem technology maturity will be demonstrated, and risk reduction accomplished, through Modeling and Simulation (M&S) assessments, Hardware-in-the-Loop (HWIL) / Software-in-the-Loop (SWIL) testing, ground-based testing, in-air and underwater launch testing, and flight tests. Furthermore, with each platform deployment, risk continues to be reduced for weapon subsystems and components until prototyping efforts culminate in an initial operational Blk V VIRGINIA Class submarine weapon system capability. The program will capitalize on commonality between platform implementations. CPS supports the National Defense Strategy by supporting modernization initiatives for hypersonic technologies and enabling a more lethal force. The CPS program plan: (1) Provides rapid delivery of capability through multiple acquisition increments and configurations; and (2) Provides flexibility to allow for additional capability phases as the weapon system and warfighter requirements evolve. In order to meet current Top Level Requirements (TLR) and future warfighter needs, the program has developed a Technology Insertion (TI) strategy with pre-planned insertion points to enable the program to regularly insert baseline upgrades and mature advanced technologies to support capability improvements into the Navy and Army systems. To support the TI Strategy, the program has developed a Science and Technology / Advanced Capability (STAC) process to mature advanced technology and fill Navy and Army warfighting capability gaps to ensure continued battlefield dominance. The FY 2026 Budget incorporates updated Cost Categories from the FY 2025 Budget to categorize CPS funding in a way that more precisely aligns to program efforts.

Accomplishments & Planned Programs (6)