USAF awards $985m hypersonic missile contract to Raytheon

The US Air Force has awarded Raytheon Missiles and Defense a $985m contract to develop a hypersonic cruise missile.

Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile (HACM) is an air-launched, scramjet-powered hypersonic weapon built in partnership with Northrop Grumman.

The missile is 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 USAF chief of staff, Gen. CQ Brown. "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, USAF 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, Lockheed Martin, and Raytheon Technologies to complete preliminary designs of a hypersonic cruise missile.

The HACM programme will now operationalise 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 USAF for acquisition, technology and logistics.

Through the SCIFiRE agreement, the US 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 US to strengthen capability outcomes, deepen our alliance and strengthen our cooperation as we meet emerging challenges and support regional endeavours.”

USAF plans to deliver HACM with operational utility by fiscal year 2027.

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