An upcoming Hypersonic Missile Test (repeat of FT-3) from Kodiak to Kwajalein [UPDATED]

Click map to enlarge

Navigational Warnings have been published that point to a Hypersonic Missile Test (a repeat of the failed FT-3 from 2021) from the Pacific Space Port at Kodiak Island, Alaska, to the Ronald Reagan Test Site at Kwajalein, Marshall Islands, between August 22-26, 2025. The range is about 6350 km.

Navigational Warning NAVAREA XII 520/25 defines three hazard zones (A, B and C in the map above), one near Kodiak Island and two in the mid Pacific, for the splashdowns of the three rocket booster stages. Navigational Warning HYDROPAC 2097/25 defines a hazard area at Kwajalein Atoll for the Hypersonic payload impact area. I have plotted the areas in the map above.

The test appears to be a repeat of the failed FT-3 test from 2021. This test was scrubbed in June 2021 and next failed on a second attempt on 21 October 2021, reportedly when one of the booster stages failed in flight.

Details on FT-3 can be found in this US DoD document. A three-stage STARS (Strategic Target System) launch vehicle consisting of two Orion stages and a C4 stage would launch the hypersonic payload from the Kodiak Pacific Space Port Complex and (based on Navigational Warning HYDROPAC 2097/25) target the Northeast Deep Water Impact Zone near Gagan island on Kwajalein.

Here is the text of the Navigational Warnings:

080912Z AUG 25
NAVAREA XII 520/25(16,19).
GULF OF ALASKA.
NORTH PACIFIC.
ALASKA.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS 220400Z TO 221000Z AUG, 
   ALTERNATE 0400Z TO 1000Z DAILY 23 THRU 26 AUG
   IN AREAS BOUND BY:
   A. 54-12.00N 156-36.00W, 54-03.00N 156-14.00W,
      55-16.00N 153-14.00W, 56-32.00N 152-01.00W,
      57-29.00N 152-06.00W, 57-32.00N 152-20.00W,
      56-59.00N 153-06.00W, 57-00.00N 153-30.00W.
   B. 46-32.00N 167-23.00W, 46-24.00N 167-05.00W,
      45-43.00N 167-45.00W, 45-51.00N 168-03.00W.
   C. 37-36.00N 175-36.00W, 37-19.00N 175-00.00W,
      32-19.00N 178-40.00W, 32-41.00N 179-12.00W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 261100Z AUG 25.


080852Z AUG 25
HYDROPAC 2097/25(81).
NORTH PACIFIC.
MARSHALL ISLANDS.
DNC 12.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS 220400Z TO 221000Z AUG, 
   ALTERNATE 0400Z TO 1000Z DAILY 23 THRU 26 AUG
   IN AREA BOUND BY
   09-43.00N 167-47.00E, 09-36.00N 167-59.00E,
   09-11.00N 167-44.00E, 09-17.00N 167-33.00E.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 261100Z AUG 25. 

 

UPDATE 23 Aug 2025:

The launch happened on 22 August 2025 at 06:10 UTC. Footage of the launch shot from Seward, Alaska, by Seth Andrzejewski is here on twitter.