UK brings 90 companies into $1.25 billion hypersonic missile programme
Ninety companies have been accepted into the UK’s £1 billion HTCDF agreement, set up to rapidly develop advanced hypersonic missile capabilities where firrns can bid for contracts within the programme.
The framework agreement is designed to provide a faster route to achieve capability and will select suppliers all the way through to a final weapon system with the award of contracts managed through competitive processes at the MoD's DE&S agency.
The framework hopes to enable focussed research to be spirally developed through varying Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) from very low to ready for operations, specifically TRL 1-9.
The HTCDF will reopen to new suppliers every six to 12 months so the MoD can draw upon new technologies and emerging market capabilities.
Alongside established weapons manufacturers and academic institutions, nearly half of the suppliers will be small and medium enterprises and, according to DE&S, this is designed “to leverage the strength and breadth of UK and international talent and innovation across the defence enterprise".
More from Air Warfare
-
Avenger UAS controlled in flight using Link 16
The flight test formed part of a larger programme of work to provide mission autonomy software to integrate, data links and other advanced mission systems onto the Avenger UAS.
-
Embraer promotes C-390 Millennium as it signs for closer ties with Morocco
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed during the Marrakesh Air Show, with the C-390 Millennium positioned as the ideal future choice for the Moroccan Air Force.
-
Turkish Aerospace eyes European and North African customers as Hürjet goes supersonic
The trainer aircraft will initially seek to replace the Turkish Air Force’s T-38 trainer fleet, with deliveries scheduled for 2026, but TAI confirmed that ‘closer talks’ were underway with potential export customers.
-
More AMRAAMs approved for Denmark under $744 million deal
There has been a spike in demand for Raytheon’s Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs), including a US$1.2 billion Pentagon order for 12 countries as well as US Navy and US Air Force. There have also been approvals this year for sales to Israel, Norway, Romania and Singapore.
-
Bulgaria’s first F-16 Block 70 takes flight
Bulgaria has ordered a total of 16 F-16 Block 70 fighters, which will be delivered in two batches. Deliveries for the first lot are anticipated to commence in 2025.
-
Sikorsky’s UH-60M Black Hawk given boost as Greece and Australia share fleet updates
Australia and Greece are among a group of nations who have recently placed orders for UH-60M Black Hawks to replace their ageing fleets and boost their armed forces’ operational capabilities.