Several companies obtain hypersonic contracts
The US is continuing to address opportunities and challenges related to hypersonic missile technology. (Photo: Missile Defense Agency)
Also Dynetics obtained a contract from the Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office.
The US is continuing efforts to develop hypersonic missiles and protect against them, after four companies received contracts on 19 November.
Dynetics obtained a $479 million cost-plus-fixed-fee contract from the US Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office to develop Hypersonic Thermal Protection System prototypes, support materials research, and novel inspection and acceptance criteria.
A thermal protection system is essential to protect against extreme temperatures while travelling at hypersonic speed.
Dynetics is expected to complete work on this contract by 18 November 2027.
Meanwhile, the Missile Defense Agency awarded separate other transaction prototype contracts to Raytheon Missiles and Defense ($20.97 million), Lockheed Martin ($20.94 million) and Northrop Grumman ($18.96 million) to 'further develop and refine' their concepts for the Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI).
The contracts were competitively solicited under the Enhanced Hypersonic Defense Broad Agency Announcement, the DoD noted. All three companies are to complete work on these contracts by September 2022.
The GPI programme aims to develop a sea-based counter-hypersonic weapon by 2030.
More from Defence Notes
-
![Estonia opts for smart, adaptable and cooperative solutions in the face of Russian threat]()
Estonia opts for smart, adaptable and cooperative solutions in the face of Russian threat
Estonian-made equipment is being put through the toughest of evaluations in the hands of Ukrainian soldiers resisting the full-scale Russian invasion which began in 2022. The country has long seen the threat and is continuing to adapt for the future.
-
![Estonia boosting defence industry with lessons from Ukraine, says country’s economic minister]()
Estonia boosting defence industry with lessons from Ukraine, says country’s economic minister
Estonia is looking to boost its local defence industry with directed funding, industry parks, support through international orders for equipment and rapid prototyping.
-
![UK faces cost of balancing defensive capabilities abroad as Iran conflict widens]()
UK faces cost of balancing defensive capabilities abroad as Iran conflict widens
The UK has recently deployed a Type 45 destroyer to Cyprus and has bolstered its presence in the Middle East in recent weeks with supporting air power to protect neighbouring countries’ air defences.
-
![White House calls on Pentagon contractors to “rapidly and aggressively” boost weapon production]()
White House calls on Pentagon contractors to “rapidly and aggressively” boost weapon production
Intended to sustain Operation Epic Fury against Iran, efforts to increase the production of weapons and ammunition could expose long-standing weaknesses in the US defence industrial base.
-
![India’s strategic defence footprint expansion could be accelerated by Iran-Israel conflict]()
India’s strategic defence footprint expansion could be accelerated by Iran-Israel conflict
The latest escalation between Iran and Israel could shape New Delhi’s next-generation shield as India deepens cooperation with Israel on missile defence and drone production.
-
![Is the US magazine of air defence interceptors deep enough to sustain a long campaign against Iran?]()
Is the US magazine of air defence interceptors deep enough to sustain a long campaign against Iran?
The Pentagon spent a considerable number of THAAD and SM-3 rounds to defend against Iranian missiles in 2025 and has not fully replenished its reserves.
