Raytheon and Northrop Grumman set out 'overmatch' blueprint for hypersonic cruise missile
Artist rendering of Raytheon's Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile. (Photo: Raytheon)
After jointly receiving a new hypersonic missile prototype contract, Raytheon and Northrop Grumman are confident the weapon can be developed and designed to provide USAF with overmatch capabilities.
Following joint selection by the USAF to design and develop a scramjet propulsion-based Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile (HACM) prototype, Raytheon and Northrop Grumman plan on making the weapon capable of sustaining 'overmatch' against peer competitors such as China.
The two manufacturers received funding worth $985 million for the prototyping effort on 22 September and are expected to deliver a missile offering 'operational utility' by FY2027, according to the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center.
The new 54-month contract followed the USAF providing Raytheon, Lockheed Martin and Boeing with separate 15-month Southern Cross Integrated Flight Research Experiment (SCIFiRE) preliminary design long-range hypersonic cruise missile contracts.
Raytheon
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
Read this Article
Get access to this article with a Free Basic Account
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 1 free story per week
- Personalised news alerts
- Daily and weekly newsletters
- Free magazine subscription to all our titles
- Downloadable equipment data handbooks
- Distribution rights (Corporate only)
Unlimited Access
Access to all our premium news as a Premium News 365 Member. Corporate subscriptions available.
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 14-day free trial (cancel at any time)
- Unlimited access to all published premium news
- 10-year news archive access
- Downloadable equipment data handbooks
- Distribution rights (Corporate only)
More from Defence Notes
-
![Raytheon space-based missile tracker hits programme milestone]()
Raytheon space-based missile tracker hits programme milestone
Raytheon's orbital payload for the US Space Force's Missile Track Custody programme has passed a key critical design review.
-
![Military assistance to Ukraine ramps up as winter approaches]()
Military assistance to Ukraine ramps up as winter approaches
The past 14 days have seen another wave of announcements of military assistance for Ukraine, including support from the US, UK, Norway and Germany.
-
![BFBS offers MiPlayer welfare solution to new markets]()
BFBS offers MiPlayer welfare solution to new markets
Improving the welfare of personnel is critical to tackling recruitment and retention challenges.
-
![How new Portuguese defence doctrine will impact future procurement]()
How new Portuguese defence doctrine will impact future procurement
The Portuguese MoD is working on updated versions of its National Defence Strategic Concept and Military Programming Law. The new documents will define the country’s priorities and shape future acquisition and modernisation programmes.
-
![Elbit ceases UK Dreadnought sub training work; Project Selborne role 'under negotiation']()
Elbit ceases UK Dreadnought sub training work; Project Selborne role 'under negotiation'
Elbit Systems UK has stopped work on the Royal Navy's Dreadnought Crew Training programme and its role on Project Selborne is under negotiation with the government.
-
![Congressional criticism prompts creation of new office to oversee JADC2]()
Congressional criticism prompts creation of new office to oversee JADC2
The US is to establish a new central office with oversight of acquisition, integration and interoperability of the DoD-wide Joint All Domain Command and Control (JADC2) effort.
