US Army awards hypersonic weapon development contracts

The US Army has awarded contracts for system supply related to the development of a land-based hypersonic weapon capability. 

Dynetics Technical Solutions (DTS) has been awarded $351.6 million to produce Common-Hypersonic Glide Body (C-HGB) prototypes, while Lockheed Martin has been awarded $347 million to lead the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) systems integration project. 

Under a so-called Other Transaction Agreement contract, over a three-year agreement period DTS will produce 20 glide body assemblies for use by the US Army, US Navy and the Missile Defense Agency, with an option to deliver more.   

The company will work with Sandia National Laboratories for development and production of the glide body, which will be a part of an integrated army hypersonic weapon system prototype that will be delivered to soldiers from 2023.

The effort is part of US Army's long-range precision fires requirement, and is led by the Army Hypersonic Project Office, part of the Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO).

‘We are honoured to be selected for this high priority national security programme,’ Steve Cook, president of DTS, said. 

‘Dynetics has been developing enabling technologies for many years. The common hypersonic glide body is a vital component in the National Defense Strategy that includes weapons with increased power.’

DTS selected Lockheed Martin to support integration and prototyping of the C-HGB, which will be available across military services to provide commonality to air, land and sea platform needs and requirements.

‘Dynetics Technical Solutions is pleased to partner with Lockheed Martin on this national defence priority,’ Cook added. 

‘The Common-Hypersonic Glide Body and Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon programmes will modernise our national capabilities and will counter the threat from our foreign adversaries.’

The army LRHW prototype will leverage the C-HGB and introduce a new class of Mach 5 speed manoeuvrable long-range missiles that have the ability to launch from ground mobile platforms.