China and Russia have essentially sprinted ahead in their efforts to develop hypersonic missile technology, but even as the U.S. efforts faced setbacks last year, the race is far from won. In addition to the continued efforts to develop hypersonic missiles that could be employed offensively, the United States Department of Defense (DoD) remains as committed to the technology that could be used to counter such a threat.
This month, the Pentagon awarded contracts to Northrop Grumman and Raytheon Technologies to develop missiles that could intercept a hypersonic weapon. Lockheed Martin, the largest American defense contractor, had also been in competition for the multibillion dollar contract and could be pulled back in at a later date.
The Hypersonic Threat
The great danger of hypersonic weapons is that these can reach speeds greater than Mach 5 – or five times the speed of sound, and could reach targets 1,000 miles away in just 10 to 12 minutes. A hypersonic missile’s speed and force are so significant that it can inflict damage by its sheer ‘kinetic’ impact without even needing explosives, but such platforms could still be used to carry a conventional or even nuclear warhead.
Along with its greater speeds, hypersonic missiles also have the ability to maneuver while in flight with computerized precision, something that could make it all the more difficult to counter – but not impossible. China has reportedly been studying how artificial intelligence-based technology could predict the course of a hypersonic missile.
The Glide Phase Interceptor
The Pentagon looks to counter the hypersonic threat with its Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI) system, which is being developed to destroy the weapons when they are in the middle or “glide phase” of a flight to target.
Northrop Grumman and Raytheon Technologies have each been awarded a firm-fixed price modification to a previously awarded contract for rapid prototyping of the technology. The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) has awarded up to $62 million to Raytheon and up to $60 million to Northrop Grumman to continue to develop the hypersonic weapon interceptors.
“The awards are an important step toward increasing the capacity of our missile defense system and providing a new capability to the warfighter,” said Vice Admiral Jon Hill, director of the Missile Defense Agency. “GPI will play an important role in our regional hypersonic defense, and our acquisition strategy is ensuring that the department maximizes innovation to keep pace with rapidly advancing threats.”
Northrop Grumman will reportedly leverage its agile processes, artificial intelligence (AI) and model-based systems engineering to offer an “affordable, low-risk solution” to counter hypersonic missiles in the glide phase.
“GPI will play a central role in ensuring the United States maintains the most reliable and advanced missile defense systems in the world that are capable of outpacing and defeating evolving missile threats,” explained Rich Straka, vice president of launch vehicles at Northrop Grumman.
Lockheed’s Future Role?
Though Lockheed Martin was not awarded a contract for the next phase of the GPI competition, the aerospace giant will still be involved with the Pentagon’s hypersonic weapons programs. It is currently competing against Raytheon to develop the scramjet-powered hypersonic missile as part of the Hypersonic Air-breathing Weapon Concept (HAWC) program that is run by the United States Air Force and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).
In addition, Lockheed Martin is the lead systems integrator for what will be the U.S. Navy’s Conventional Prompt Strike offensive hypersonic missile and the U.S. Army’s Long Range Hypersonic Weapon, while the company is also developing the Air Force’s hypersonic AGM-183A Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon.
In 2019, Lockheed Martin broke ground on a new facility in Alabama that is focused on the development, testing and production of hypersonic weapons. That same year, the Pentagon made hypersonic capability a major priority.
A recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report said MDA’s internal cost estimates for an interceptor system ranged from $3.7 billion-$4.2 billion with accelerated funding.
