USN picks Jacobs for air-launched and underwater test support
Both the Air Launch Test Capability and the Underwater Launch Test Capability support the Conventional Prompt Strike hypersonic programme.
Jacobs Technology has received a $64.64 million follow-on deal from the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD) for air launch testing and materials with hypersonic missiles, the DoD revealed on 8 July.
Jacobs received an earlier contract in 2019.
The latest deal covers the maintenance, modification and/or enhancement of special test equipment (STE) for the future Air Launch Test Capability (ALTC) as well as the design and development of STE for the Underwater Launch Test Capability (ULTC).
Both capabilities will, in turn, support the Conventional Prompt Strike advanced hypersonic missile programme for the USN.
Work will be performed in China Lake, California, and is expected to be completed in July 2024.
In launching a sources sought notice in November 2021, NAWCWD described a future five-year deal to enable fielding or deployment of special test equipment for the ALTC and ‘continued support for conceptual design of the ULTC, which will include providing element schedule updates’.
NAWCWD added at the time: ‘Continued air launch testing has been and will continue to be required to meet the ever-changing requirements based on [a] better understanding of what data is needed from full-scale tests.’
A contract is expected to be awarded late in FY2022.
You may also like
More from Defence Notes
-
![Israel defence ministry pushes ambitious spending plans for tanks, drones and KC-46 aircraft]()
Israel defence ministry pushes ambitious spending plans for tanks, drones and KC-46 aircraft
The procurement and acceleration production plans – some of which still await approval – across the air and land domains will aim to strengthen the operational needs of the Israel Defense Forces.
-
![US reforms its defence acquisition system to focus on commercial capabilities]()
US reforms its defence acquisition system to focus on commercial capabilities
This shift is planned to accelerate the procurement and fielding of capabilities. As part of this strategy, the US also intends modernise its regulations in an attempt to change its bureaucratic and risk-averse culture.
-
![Australia’s Exercise Talisman Sabre concludes after a series of firsts]()
Australia’s Exercise Talisman Sabre concludes after a series of firsts
More than 40,000 military personnel from 19 participating nations took part in the 11th iteration of the biennial Exercise Talisman Sabre multi-domain event which was held across Australia and in Papua New Guinea.
-
![US Africa Command targets logistic solutions]()
US Africa Command targets logistic solutions
AFRICOM is seeking IT systems and supply chain management solutions to enhance interoperability and standardise logistical processes in its area of responsibility.
-
![Rheinmetall sales up by almost a quarter on wave of German spending]()
Rheinmetall sales up by almost a quarter on wave of German spending
Germany’s Rheinmetall released its 1H 2025 results on 7 August, continuing the strong growth of recent years. A particular highlight of the result’s presentation was the Skyranger air defence system for which the company is predicting sales of about US$8.2 billion from the German Government before the end of the year.
