The Military and Navy on Thursday accomplished a profitable all-up spherical take a look at of the Widespread Hypersonic Glide Physique, doubtlessly paving the best way for the providers to start fielding the long-awaited system.
The glide physique was developed collectively between the 2 providers. The Military plans to combine its model of the system, the Lengthy Vary Hypersonic Weapon, right into a cellular floor platform. The Navy will combine its model, dubbed Typical Immediate Strike, right into a ship-launched functionality.
“This take a look at builds on a number of flight exams during which the Widespread Hypersonic Glide Physique achieved hypersonic velocity at goal distances and demonstrates that we are able to put this functionality within the palms of the warfighter,” Military Secretary Christine Wormuth mentioned in a Pentagon assertion.
The launch passed off at Cape Canaveral Area Power Station in Florida. The Protection Division didn’t provide additional particulars in regards to the occasion, which represents the glide physique’s second profitable all-up spherical take a look at this 12 months.
Hypersonic programs can fly and maneuver at 5 occasions the velocity of sound — and the Pentagon has been attempting to discipline them for many years. The Military had deliberate to make a LRHW fielding determination by the tip of fiscal 2023, however delayed that milestone after a number of aborted exams final 12 months. The service now plans to make a fielding determination subsequent 12 months.
Doug Bush, the Military’s acquisition govt, instructed reporters this earlier this 12 months that the all-up spherical take a look at is crucial to creating positive the system is “protected and efficient” and able to discipline.
The Navy, in the meantime, plans to start out fielding Typical Immediate Strike on its Zumwalt-class destroyer in FY25 and its Virginia-class submarine in FY29.
Leidos is the prime contractor for the Widespread Hypersonic Glide Physique, and Lockheed Martin is the prime contractor for each LRHW and the Navy’s Typical Immediate Strike program.
Courtney Albon is C4ISRNET’s area and rising know-how reporter. She has lined the U.S. navy since 2012, with a give attention to the Air Power and Area Power. She has reported on a few of the Protection Division’s most important acquisition, finances and coverage challenges.
