Full Article
https://www.microwavejournal.com/articles/38901-air-force-announces-hypersonic-missile-contract-award
_[article below]_
Microwave Journal is a very good resource for staying up-to-date on
5G/millimeter wave issues, as well.
Let the Holy Spirit Shine
Bobby Vaughn
_Independent Investigative Research and Journalism_
A Call to Actions | PodCast Host
_https://www.acalltoactions.com_
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Air Force Announces Hypersonic Missile Contract Award
September 23, 2022
KEYWORDS
Air Force HACM Raytheon Missiles and Defense SCIFiRE
The U.S. Air Force awarded Raytheon Missiles and Defense a
$985,348,124 contract to develop and demonstrate Hypersonic Attack
Cruise Missile (HACM) prototypes, underscoring the Air Force’s
focus on increasing interoperability with allies and partners to stay
ahead of strategic competitors.
HACM is an air-launched, scramjet-powered hypersonic weapon designed
to hold high-value targets at risk in contested environments from
standoff distances.
"HACM is a powerful example of developing and integrating combat
capabilities alongside our partners from the beginning," said Air
Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. "HACM will provide our
commanders with tactical flexibility to employ fighters to hold
high-value, time-sensitive targets at risk while maintaining bombers
for other strategic targets."
In 2020, the U.S. Air Force engaged in a multi-year, bilateral
project arrangement with Australia known as the Southern Cross
Integrated Flight Research Experiment to develop air-breathing
hypersonic cruise missile prototypes.
The Air Force awarded three 15-month SCIFiRE contracts in June 2021
to Boeing Co., Lockheed Martin Corp., and Raytheon Technologies Corp.
to complete preliminary designs of a hypersonic cruise missile.
The HACM program will now operationalize the Raytheon SCIFiRE
prototype design for fighter aircraft integration and deliver two
leave-behind assets with operational utility.
“We have over a decade of cooperation with our Australian allies
in the advancement of hypersonic technologies, and now we will bring
that shared knowledge to bear to address urgent national defense
requirements,” said Andrew Hunter, assistant secretary of the Air
Force for acquisition, technology and logistics.
Through the SCIFiRE agreement, the U.S. and Australia will continue
collaborating on HACM design and development, including using
Australian test infrastructure for the initial all-up-round flight
tests.
Air Vice Marshal Robert Denney, AM, Head of Air Force Capability for
the Royal Australian Air Force, said SCIFiRE is providing an
opportunity to understand and influence the future of hypersonic
weapons development and acquisition.
“SCIFiRE demonstrates our commitment with the U.S. to strengthen
capability outcomes, deepen our alliance and strengthen our
cooperation as we meet emerging challenges and support regional
endeavors.”
The Air Force plans to deliver a HACM capability with operational
utility by fiscal year 2027.
