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
-
![Raytheon and Northrop Grumman set out 'overmatch' blueprint for hypersonic cruise missile]()
Raytheon and Northrop Grumman set out 'overmatch' blueprint for hypersonic cruise missile
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.
-
![Pentagon and Ligado clash over claims of satellite interference]()
Pentagon and Ligado clash over claims of satellite interference
A recent report supports DoD claims that a new commercial broadband network would harm existing US military SATCOM and GPS services.
-
![UK defence strategy since the Integrated Review: the view from Washington]()
UK defence strategy since the Integrated Review: the view from Washington
What do US policymakers make of UK strategic thinking in the wake of the Integrated Review, and how could subsequent events affect the transatlantic defence relationship?
