# DARPA hypersonic cruise missile development > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/darpa-hypersonic-cruise-missile-development > Updated: 2026-09-10T03:20:44.000Z. Sources: 2. Developments: 2. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has initiated a program to develop a Next Generation Hypersonic Cruise Missile (NGHCM). The project focuses on air-breathing scramjet technology, which allows missiles to extract oxygen from the atmosphere to reduce weight and increase payload capacity. Initially, DARPA issued a request for information to industry to shape the development of affordable, mass-producible missiles capable of speeds exceeding Mach 5. The program aims to counter sophisticated Integrated Air Defense Systems (IADS) and covers mission ranges from 250 to 2,000 nautical miles. The initiative is positioned as a response to China’s deployment of air-breathing hypersonic weapons, such as the YJ-19 and CJ-1000. DARPA is seeking advancements in high-energy-density fuels, high-temperature materials, and propulsion systems to create a variety of platforms, ranging from tactical aircraft-mounted versions to larger systems launched from ground or bomber platforms. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-10: DARPA launches hypersonic missile program to rival China DARPA has initiated a program to develop next-generation air-breathing hypersonic cruise missiles to compete with China's recently deployed hypersonic weapon technologies. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/darpa-launches-hypersonic-missile-program-to-rival-china ### 2026-08-11: DARPA seeks industry input for mass-producible hypersonic cruise missile DARPA has issued an RFI for a Next Generation Hypersonic Cruise Missile program, seeking affordable, mass-producible air-breathing weapons to counter advanced enemy air defenses. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/darpa-seeks-industry-input-for-mass-producible-hypersonic-cruise-missile --- Cite as: DARPA hypersonic cruise missile development. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/darpa-hypersonic-cruise-missile-development