Joe BidenThe US successfully tested a groundbreaking hypersonic weapon at speeds in excess of Mach 5, at altitudes over 60,000 feet, sending a powerful message to Russias Vladimir Putin about the emerging capacity of the US. And developers are now confident that such weapon systems can be produced quickly to meet “the pressing national need”.
A team consisting of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Air Force Research Lab (AFRL), Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT), and Aerojet Rocketdyne (NYSE: AJRD) team achieved their “primary objectives” during the second Hypersonic Air- Breathe Weapon Concept (HAWC) test flight.
The HAWC system’s first stage, launched from a B-52 bomber, boosted it to the “directed engine ignition envelope,” or the point at which the Aerojet Rocketdyne scramjet engine fired, and accelerated the system to more than five times the speed of sound ( Mach 5), or 3836 mph.
The system performed as predicted, traveling more than 300 nautical miles and reaching altitudes of more than 60,000 feet (over 11 miles).
John Clark, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, said, “Affordability and reliability are essential when developing operational hypersonic solutions.
“Both of our HAWC flight tests were launched from an operational aircraft and matched performance models and predictions to support affordable, rapid development of future hypersonic weapons.”
The Lockheed Martin Skunk Works and Aerojet Rocketdyne teams have worked closely together to develop low-cost advanced manufacturing technologies, prioritizing extreme durability to reduce costs.
As a result of integrating digital technologies throughout the design, testing and manufacturing process, the team has demonstrated that hypersonic systems can be affordably produced at the rates necessary to meet “the pressing national need,” Lockheed Martin said. .
Lockheed Martin has been instrumental in the research, development and demonstration of hypersonic technologies for nearly 60 years.
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The company has made significant investments in developing critical hypersonic technologies that Washington says are necessary to enable operational systems that can help the US and its allies address rapidly emerging threats.
Earlier this month, Putin sent a frigate armed with the country’s latest hypersonic Zircon missile on a trans-ocean cruise in a show of force as tensions with the West escalate over the war in Ukraine.
Russia claims that the Zircon missile can evade any Western air defenses by flying at an astonishing speed of 7,000 miles per hour, or Mach 9.
Speaking via video link at Wednesday’s farewell ceremony, Putin again praised Zircon as a “unique weapon” without an “equivalent to it in any country in the world.”
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The Pentagon responded by saying it was monitoring the ship and did not think it posed a threat that could not be countered.
Army Colonel Roger Cabiness, spokesman for the Pentagon, said: “We are aware of the reports of the Russian launch of a frigate, the Admiral Grorshkov.
“We will continue to routinely monitor her activities while remaining aware of our work environment.
“While we do not comment on specific capabilities or speculate on hypothetical theories, the Department of Defense remains confident in our ability to deter our adversaries and defend the national security interests of the United States at any time and in any place.”