US Central Command (CENTCOM) is requesting the Department of War deploy a hypersonic missile system to the Middle East. 

Bloomberg reported on Wednesday that CENTCOM, the regional command responsible for the Middle East, asked for the Dark Eagle hypersonic missile for potential use against Iran. The request comes amid a three-week ceasefire between the US and Iran. If approved, it would be the first deployment of the Dark Eagle missile. 

CENTCOM made the request because Iran had moved its missiles out of range of US standoff munitions such as the PRsM. The need for a missile with a longer range suggests that the US does not have air control over Iran. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has repeatedly claimed Iran’s air defenses have been whipped out, and US war plans had the ability to operate over the country. 

The Dark Eagle missile has a range of over 1,700 miles. Even if the missile gets deployed to the Middle East, it will likely have a minimal impact on the overall war. The US has at most eight Dark Eagle missiles, at a cost of $15 million each. 

The US also has a limited supply of other key munitions, including standoff munitions and advanced interceptors. 

While the ceasefire between the US and Iran was meant to facilitate peace talks, negotiations have broken down. The US has used the truce to increase its military presence in the Middle East.