Current US hypersonic weapons projects. (General)

[bring_it_on]

Based on the FY21 request, there appears to be 3 flight tests for Lockheed's TBG desgin including one this year (FY20) and 2 in FY21. Additionally, they are going to be performing a Critical Design Review of TBG integration with the Vertical Launch System for the Navy, and also begin fabrication of the Raytheon TBG design which could probably begin flight testing in FY22.

 

[Lc89]

So will the Navy also buy the Arrow?

 

[bobbymike]

Janes | Latest defence and security news

Janes | The latest defence and security news from Janes - the trusted source for defence intelligence

www.janes.com

 

[Josh_TN]

Raytheon is building a glider for TBG? I though LockMart was the primary contractor?

 

[bring_it_on]

Raytheon is building a glider for TBG? I though LockMart was the primary contractor?

There are two vendors. This thread probably has details about Raytheon's involvement.

 

[seruriermarshal]

any information about Lockheed's TBG ?

 

[bring_it_on]

any information about Lockheed's TBG ?

Still planning to test once in FY20, and at least twice in FY21. Additional testing beyond that can also occur.

 

[seruriermarshal]

any information about Lockheed's TBG ?

Still planning to test once in FY20, and at least twice in FY21. Additional testing beyond that can also occur.

so There are twice in FY20 ( Lockheed and Raytheon ) ?

 

[bring_it_on]

any information about Lockheed's TBG ?

Still planning to test once in FY20, and at least twice in FY21. Additional testing beyond that can also occur.

so There are twice in FY20 ( Lockheed and Raytheon ) ?

One test in FY20 (Lockheed), at least 2 in FY21 (Lockheed) and more later (Raytheon and possibly Lockheed). Of course all this is subject to change..but this is what we know so far.

 

[seruriermarshal]

any information about Lockheed's TBG ?

Still planning to test once in FY20, and at least twice in FY21. Additional testing beyond that can also occur.

so There are twice in FY20 ( Lockheed and Raytheon ) ?

One test in FY20 (Lockheed), at least 2 in FY21 (Lockheed) and more later (Raytheon and possibly Lockheed). Of course all this is subject to change..but this is what we know so far.

Thank you , any news about AGM-183 ?

 

[bobbymike]

Inside Defense pay site

Navy seeks $1B for CPS, sets FY-28 target for arming Virginia-class with hypersonics
The Navy is seeking $1 billion in fiscal year 2021 for the Conventional Prompt Strike program, providing the most detail to date about its plans to arm two submarine classes with a sea-launched, conventionally armed ultra-fast, maneuvering weapon for long-range strike options

 

[bobbymike]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1229829750081966086

 

[dark sidius]

Wow great

 

[bobbymike]

From Inside Defense pay site

Pentagon eyes key milestones in FY-21 for tactical hypersonic weapon development
The Defense Department plans major advances in fiscal year 2021 for its Tactical Boost Glide project, including manufacture of Raytheon's first air-launched flight test vehicle and critical design review of Lockheed Martin's ship-launched variant

 

[Lc89]

Why don't they also make a ship-launched variant of the Hawc missile?

 

[Josh_TN]

AFAIK HAWC is a demonstrator that hasn’t flown. Even when there is a SCRAMjet program of record, I suspect the booster requirements for launching at sea level compared to launching at high altitude and 500mph will negate a lot of the advantages of an air breathing engine. For slower missiles that live below the sound barrier and in ground effect the boost stage is a far less challenging requirement.

If an air breather hypersonic is light enough I could easily see them being adopted by the air wings and MPAs.

I am curious if the USN will adopt ship launched hypersonics in addition to subs. I actually rather doubt it, at least in large numbers. It requires large cells and magazine trade off decisions and more over begs the question, why aren’t we just launching these from trucks in Guam or the UK?

 

[trose213]

Why don't they also make a ship-launched variant of the Hawc missile?

Because a Mach 5 solid ramjet will probably be enough for most targets and the best mix of lightest, easiest and penetrating solution.

 

[Ronny]

Why don't they also make a ship-launched variant of the Hawc missile?

Because a Mach 5 solid ramjet will probably be enough for most targets and the best mix of lightest, easiest and penetrating solution.

Isn't HAWC supposed to be Mach 5?

 

[trose213]

Why don't they also make a ship-launched variant of the Hawc missile?

Because a Mach 5 solid ramjet will probably be enough for most targets and the best mix of lightest, easiest and penetrating solution.

Isn't HAWC supposed to be Mach 5?

HAWC is a scramjet. A ramjet can only go up to around Mach 5, but a scramjet can go above Mach 10. There is much efficiency gains going from a ramjet to a scramjet, and you need to those faster speeds somehow.

 

[In_A_Dream]

Would it be prohibitively expensive to put some HAWCs in space, minus the booster?

 

[trose213]

Would it be prohibitively expensive to put some HAWCs in space, minus the booster?

A scramjet needs oxygen from the air

 

[Grey Havoc]

The missile would need a re-entry capsule of some description, which would bring it's own set of difficulties. On the other hand, for example, there was apparently a fair bit of research done during the 2000s on the idea of dropping encapsulated recon UAVs from low orbiting satellites for rapid reaction purposes, though I'm not sure if they ever got anywhere near the hardware stage.

 

[Ronny]

Would it be prohibitively expensive to put some HAWCs in space, minus the booster?

Why bring HAWC into space when you can bring the glider of ARRW into space? Smaller , longer range , lower IR signature and faster at the same time

 

[panzerfeist1]

Would it be prohibitively expensive to put some HAWCs in space, minus the booster?

Strategically speaking scramjets have lower altitudes than ballistic missiles or HGVs with other certain benefits that give defense systems trouble intercepting them.

 

[bring_it_on]

Range is an important consideration. A scramjet powered medium to intermediate ranged weapon would need to go incredibly fast in order to match or exceed the time-to-target performance of either the IRCPS or a TBG based boost glide weapon.

 

[Flyaway]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1229829750081966086

Having look at this I do wonder if this could be where we first see REL’s engine technology appear. He seems to be suggesting reading the thread this will be something ‘above’ the SR-72.

 

[GeorgeA]

Note that this is a program to create software that can support development of advanced vehicles, not an advanced vehicle development program. It’s a necessary precursor but not a signal that a 21st century Rheinberry is imminent.

 

[Flyaway]

Note that this is a program to create software that can support development of advanced vehicles, not an advanced vehicle development program. It’s a necessary precursor but not a signal that a 21st century Rheinberry is imminent.

But some classified programs are often first seen through related programs like this.

 

[bobbymike]

Some more interesting wording in budget documents

https://twitter.com/x/status/1231646019105898496

 

[dark sidius]

It seem there is some futur high speed drone on the horizon

 

[rooster]

Note that this is a program to create software that can support development of advanced vehicles, not an advanced vehicle development program. It’s a necessary precursor but not a signal that a 21st century Rheinberry is imminent.

But some classified programs are often first seen through related programs like this.

I would hope my tax dollars already funded some black program(s). Back in the 90s when those mysterious booms were heard out west, late late late one morning on the west coast on a businesstrip a group of us heard what sounded like a rocket launch rumbling and rattling windows over 25 miles from the nearest air force base. It was so loud everyone stopped talking. I've seen every bomber we have and this was different. I looked it up online the next day to see what flew out of that base and as i recall it was a military airlift command base. So dare to dream i suppose.

 

[Lc89]

What would a hypersonic drone be used for? Just for the reconnaissance?

 

[dark sidius]

ISR and fast attack, and why not high speed interception.

 

[Lc89]

What do the words "Manned / Unmanned Conventional Prompt Global Strike." Mean? Does it indicate that there will be a pilot in there? The supersonic turbojet intrigues me.

 

[Grey Havoc]

The supersonic turbojet intrigues me.

Same here. If it was for a manned application I would suspect that it was cover for a turoramjet.

 

[TAOG]

AFRE program will almost complete in FY2021.





Also, Air Force want the scramjet engine which may power the future hypersonic vehicle (multi-mission cruiser) can operate up to mach 7 and work efficiently during maneuvers.

 

[Lc89]

The supersonic turbojet intrigues me.

Same here. If it was for a manned application I would suspect that it was cover for a turoramjet.

Could it be for the successor of the Tomahawk, the Nglaw?

 

[Grey Havoc]

It's possible, though that is supposed to be a Navy project.

 

[dark sidius]

It look a lot for a hypersonic cruiser , remember this https://www.flightglobal.com/fixed-...produces-record-thrust-in-test/133790.article

 

[panzerfeist1]

This is great news that outweighs the bad news of a certain cancelled project. I can't wait to hear news of the missile either bumping up speeds or what altitudes it will cruise in for its testing phases along with range and size estimates of the missile before it goes operational. God I am too happy to hear this.