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
-
![Pentagon to strengthen cyber networks of US partners and allies]()
Pentagon to strengthen cyber networks of US partners and allies
The recently released 2023 Cyber Strategy states that the US will build the capacity and capability of allies and partners in cyberspace and expand avenues of potential cyber cooperation.
-
![Pentagon bets on advanced autonomous solutions to match Chinese military capabilities]()
Pentagon bets on advanced autonomous solutions to match Chinese military capabilities
The US DoD recently disclosed details of the Replicator initiative to field thousands of uncrewed systems in two years across multiple domains.
-
![The centre of gravity of ‘Axis of Evil 2.0’ shifts eastwards (Opinion)]()
The centre of gravity of ‘Axis of Evil 2.0’ shifts eastwards (Opinion)
Russia might be at the tip of the spear in terms of authoritarian aggression, but it has plenty of backers in the shape of countries like China, Iran and North Korea. Others, like India, try to duplicitously sit on the fence.
-
![US Army seeks innovative new battlefield roles for drones]()
US Army seeks innovative new battlefield roles for drones
The US Army recently tested deployment of UAS to identify casualties on the battlefield and in disaster response scenarios. Drones were used to assess the vital signs of wounded soldiers from the sky.
-
![DSEI 2023: Avon Protection unveils new CBRN and military diving concepts]()
DSEI 2023: Avon Protection unveils new CBRN and military diving concepts
Avon Protection is introducing new concepts in CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear) protective equipment and military diving technologies at DSEI 2023.
