GA-EMS contracted for hypersonic weapons work
General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) has been awarded a contract by the US Army’s Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office to further the development of the Common-Hypersonic Glide Body(C-HGB) and flight test vehicle.
This will support the army’s Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon and the US Navy’s Intermediate Range Conventional Prompt Strike (IRCPS) programmes, and follows previously contracted work that was performed by GA-EMS for the US Army Space and Missile Defense Command for the Advanced Hypersonic Weapon – Technology Demonstration programme.
‘As new threats continue to emerge, advancing the development and flight testing of hypersonic vehicle prototypes has become an urgent priority,’ Scott Forney, president of GA-EMS, said.
‘Over the past 13 years, we have worked closely with the army and Sandia National Laboratories to design, manufacture and test hypersonic glide body components and technologies. We look forward to leveraging that expertise as this critical capability transitions out of the lab and into a production-ready asset to support the warfighter.’
GA-EMS will provide manufacturing, production, engineering and technical support to integrate, test, and evaluate CHGB and flight test vehicles through system and subsystem-level ground and flight test activities.
The contract will include the manufacture of components, test and integration of vehicle flight components and assemblies, flight test planning and execution, and simulation, validation and verification support.
More from Defence Notes
-
Eurosatory 2026: Iran’s attacks on UAE have “accelerated” Edge’s plans, says company
The UAE’s Edge has undergone massive changes since it was formed in 2019, from acquisitions to partnerships, and has now set up a European division in Paris.
-
US, Canada advance with over-the-horizon radar programmes to close NORAD surveillance gaps
Washington and Ottawa’s Arctic and homeland radar initiatives aim to strengthen early warning against cruise missiles, hypersonic weapons and long-range aerospace threats approaching North America.
-
The speed of relevance: how companies can navigate the new era of European defence procurement
European militaries face a rapidly evolving security landscape and defence production must accelerate to meet surging demand for platforms and equipment. Industry needs to adapt to ensure it gets its products into the hands of the end user, Evelyn Rafferty, Senior Director Aerospace and Defence - Europe at Plexus told Shephard’s Gerrard Cowan.
-
Delays, departures and drama cloud UK defence programmes ahead of absent DIP
The UK defence secretary’s departure suggests that the long-delayed Defence Investment Plan is unlikely to meet the funding demands of the armed forces, with consequences for procurement and the UK’s standing at a NATO summit weeks away.