The US Air Force has awarded Raytheon Technologies and Northrop Grumman a $3.9 Billion Hypersonic Contract to develop and produce hypersonic missiles. The contract is part of the Air Force’s Hypersonic Conventional Strike Weapon (HCSW) program, which is designed to develop a new class of hypersonic missiles that can travel at speeds of Mach 5 or greater.
What are hypersonic weapons?
Hypersonic weapons are missiles that travel at speeds of at least Mach 5, or five times the speed of sound. This makes them extremely difficult to intercept, as they can outrun current air defence systems. Hypersonic weapons can also be manoeuvrable in flight, making them even more difficult to defend against.
Why are hypersonic weapons important?
Hypersonic weapons are important because they give the US military a significant advantage over its adversaries. These weapons can be used to strike targets with great precision and speed, making them ideal for use in both conventional and nuclear warfare. Hypersonic weapons could also be used to target critical infrastructure, such as power grids or communication networks.
Hypersonic Contract to Counter Russia and China
The Raytheon-Northrop Grumman contract is the first major contract award for the HCSW program. The companies will work together to develop and produce a prototype hypersonic missile, which is scheduled to be ready for flight testing in 2024. The contract is a significant investment in the future of hypersonic weapons, and it is a clear indication of the US military’s commitment to this technology.
The implications of hypersonic weapons
The development of hypersonic weapons has a number of implications for the future of warfare. These weapons could make it more difficult to defend against attacks, and they could also be used to target critical infrastructure. The development of hypersonic weapons is also likely to lead to an arms race, as other countries seek to develop their own hypersonic weapons.
Conclusion
The award of the Raytheon-Northrop Grumman hypersonic contract is a major milestone in the development of hypersonic weapons for the US Air Force. The contract will help to accelerate the development of these new weapons and ensure that the Air Force has the capabilities it needs to deter and defeat adversaries.
