Key Points and Summary – The US Navy is testing BAE Systems’ Hypervelocity Projectile (HVP) as a cost-effective solution for countering drones and other aerial threats.
-Originally developed for the now-canceled railgun project, the HVP is a low-drag, guided projectile that can be fired from existing 5-inch and 155mm naval guns.
-During a fleet trial in August 2024, the USS Jason Dunham successfully tested the HVP against drones.
-This provides the Navy with a “fractional cost” alternative to using expensive interceptor missiles like the Standard Missile against low-cost threats, offering a crucial new layer to a warship’s defenses.
Navy Tested Hyper-Velocity Projectiles For Counter-Drone Support
In August of last year, the US Navy tested BAE Systems’ Hypervelocity Projectiles (HVP) as part of a fleet trial of counter-UAS systems during the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) Composite Training Unit Exercise.
The USS Jason Dunham (DDG 107) and USS The Sullivans (DDG 68) tested four different systems, with the Dunham testing BAE Systems’ HVP, and The Sullivans testing Lockheed Martin’s Longbow Hellfire, Anduril’s Roadrunner, and Raytheon’s Coyote.
The Navy’s efforts to test and deploy the various systems date back to 2024 as part of a military-wide initiative to rapidly deploy new capabilities and counter the cost curve of counter-UAS missions.
What Are Hypervelocity Projectiles?
The Hypervelocity Projectile (HVP) is a next-generation, common, low-drag, guided projectile capable of executing multiple missions across various gun systems, including the Navy’s 5-inch, as well as the Navy, Marine Corps, and Army 155-mm systems, and future electromagnetic (EM) railguns.
BAE Systems has developed the Hypervelocity Projectile, a maneuvering, precision-guided munition designed to intercept anti-ship cruise missiles. Its development and experimentation through multiple branches of the Pentagon span back to 2012 when it was, at that time, destined for use on a key railgun capability to be installed on the Zumwalt-class destroyers.
The types of missions performed will depend on the gun system and platform but range from Naval Surface Fire to Cruise and Ballistic Missile Defense, Anti-Surface Warfare, and other future naval mission areas.
BAE explains that the high-velocity compact design doesn’t use a rocket motor to extend the gun range. Firing smaller, more accurate rounds decreases the likelihood of collateral damage and provides for deeper magazines and improved shipboard safety.
The Navy Uses A Layered Defense For Its Fleets
Tate Westbrook, BAE Systems director of business development for naval guns and missile launchers, stated in January during the Surface Navy Association symposium that the HVP would be a “fractional cost” compared to using Standard Missile, the Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile, or the Rolling Airframe Missile.
The Standard Missile, in particular, has been a favored but relatively expensive interceptor for Navy destroyers tasked with eliminating low-cost Houthi-based threats in the Red Sea.
The Navy’s ships operate using a principle of “layered defense,” which means that all ships are equipped to employ different weapons depending on how far away a threat is detected.
In a statement to the House Armed Services Committee, the Navy stated, “The results of these tests showed that [HVP, Roadrunner, Longbow Hellfire, and Coyote] can be effectively employed to defeat Group 3 drones in a more cost-effective manner. All four of these systems are being evaluated further for technical and tactical maturity and the results of that analysis will determine what combination of these systems is deployed on the next carrier strike group headed for the Red Sea.”
Key Points of the HVP Program
The HVP was developed as a more readily deployable option to fire from existing Mk 45 naval guns found on Arleigh Burke-class destroyers and Ticonderoga-class cruisers.
“The Mk45 5-inch gun is an effective weapon system and is capable of firing various ammunition types, including guided munitions. The selection of ammunition used during engagements is subject to Navy doctrine and tactics.”
The Navy initially explored using electromagnetic railguns to launch projectiles at very high speeds, reaching up to Mach 7. However, the Navy ultimately canceled the electromagnetic railgun project in 2021 due to significant technical challenges, such as rapid barrel wear and high energy demands.
The Army is developing an HVP for its 155mm artillery pieces.
The HVP will provide increased range and accuracy compared to conventional shells and could be used for various missions, including countering drones, missiles, and surface threats.
It should be noted that the “hypervelocity gun” has been developed as a means to achieve high speeds with conventional gun systems.
But it is not a railgun.
About the Author:
Steve Balestrieri is a National Security Columnist. He served as a US Army Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer. In addition to writing on defense, he covers the NFL for PatsFans.com and is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA). His work was regularly featured in many military publications.
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