TAI and Airbus collaborate on Hurjet trainer for Spain
The Hurjet is pitched as the front runner for the Spanish Air Force’s Advanced Jet Trainer replacement programme for its ageing F-5M aircraft.
Northrop Grumman selected to develop hypersonic missile interceptor
Northrop Grumman have been awarded a three-year development contract for GPI. (Image: Northrop Grumman)
Northrop Grumman beat out Raytheon for next stage of the Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI) weapon with the deal described as marking “a turning point for hypersonic glide phase defence”.
The US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) has selected Northrop Grumman for a three-year development GPI programme to create a system capable of defeating existing and emerging hypersonic threats.
Northrop Grumman was selected for GPI over Raytheon (RTX) and will work with the US in support of its role under the GPI Cooperative Development (GCD) programme with the Japan Ministry of Defence to deliver interceptors to the MDA.
In May, Japan and the US finalised a formal agreement for a GCD Project Arrangement under the US-Japan bilateral Memorandum of Understanding for Research, Development, Test and Evaluation Projects.
Related Articles
Several companies obtain hypersonic contracts
Glide Phase Interceptor passes Systems Requirements Review milestone
US Missile Defense Agency’s budget could be cut by $2.6 billion over the next three years
Under the GPI development effort, Northrop Grumman will continue to refine the preliminary design of the system, demonstrate system performance in hypersonic environments prior to conducting its Preliminary Design Review and complete flight experiments.
In addition, the company will use digital engineering practices to connect the entire GPI programme to accelerate design processes and develop interceptor capabilities faster and more efficiently.
MDA director Lt Gen Heath Collins described the contract as “a turning point for hypersonic glide phase defence”.
The programme has moved rapidly with MDA awarded three agreements in support of the GPI in 2021 and inn June 2022 MDA exercised two of those three agreement options to continue development of GPI.
MDA retained two concepts throughout the Systems Requirement Review and received approval in April 2023 to progress from Material Solutions Analysis phase to Technology Development phase and to finally this announced selection.
The Pentagon is betting big on GPI and hypersonic programmes such as the Aegis Weapon System, Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile, Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor, Long Range Hypersonic Weapon and Long Range Stand Off/Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile.
The Pentagon requested US$7 billion for these programmes in its FY2025 budget request but it is possible this figure may not be met.
You may also like
More from Air Warfare
-
![TAI and Airbus collaborate on Hurjet trainer for Spain]()
-
![Bell’s FLRAA receives MV-75 designation from US Army, first operational division revealed]()
Bell’s FLRAA receives MV-75 designation from US Army, first operational division revealed
The US Army also added that it would push to get the long-range assault aircraft online “years ahead” of its original 2030 timeline.
-
![UK RAF’s Protector programme hits new milestones, more aircraft expected this year]()
UK RAF’s Protector programme hits new milestones, more aircraft expected this year
Further tests will be carried out on the existing fleet, ahead of the Royal Air Force’s anticipated transition from MQ-9A Reaper aircraft to the MQ-9B Protector by the end of 2025.
-
![US approves $1.45 billion sale to UAE for CH-47 Chinooks and F-16 sustainment]()
US approves $1.45 billion sale to UAE for CH-47 Chinooks and F-16 sustainment
Both the possible sale for six Chinook helicopters and F-16 sustainment will bolster existing UAE fleets and the country’s position as a US partner and ally, according to the DSCA.
-
![US Army cancels FTUAS and the MQ-1 Gray Eagle as part of the Army Transformation Initiative]()
US Army cancels FTUAS and the MQ-1 Gray Eagle as part of the Army Transformation Initiative
Last week, it was revealed that the US Army intended to cancel the long-running Future Tactical UAS (FTUAS). The revelation, no doubt part of the Army Transformation Initiative (ATI), came a week after the force highlighted that it would cancel the procurement of Gray Eagle aircraft.
-
![UK receives two additional F-35B aircraft as deliveries resume]()
UK receives two additional F-35B aircraft as deliveries resume
The two aircraft were delivered in the TR-3 configuration, bringing the RAF one step closer to fulfilling its order for 48 F-35B aircraft.
