El avi\u00f3n desarrollado por Hypersonix, denominado DART AE, probar\u00e1 plataformas de alta velocidad, componentes, sensores y sistemas de comunicaciones y control.\u00a0Seg\u00fan la compa\u00f1\u00eda, DART AE est\u00e1 propulsado por un motor scramjet alimentado con hidr\u00f3geno y puede volar a velocidades de hasta Mach 7. Est\u00e1 previsto que el avi\u00f3n vuele por primera vez a principios de 2024, y se espera que las pruebas HyCAT comiencen en el pr\u00f3ximo 12-18 meses.<\/p>\n
WASHINGTON \u2014 The U.S. Department of Defense selected Hypersonix Launch Systems, an Australian aerospace company, to develop a high-speed aircraft that can test hypersonic technologies.<\/p>\n
The aircraft will support a Defense Innovation Unit program called\u00a0Hypersonic and High-Cadence Airborne Testing Capabilities, or HyCAT.<\/a>\u00a0The organization, which works to push technology from non-traditional companies to military users, is partnering with the Defense Department Test Resource Management Center and the director of hypersonics to help alleviate strain on government test infrastructure.<\/p>\n \u201cCommercial companies are forging ahead towards reusable and low-cost test vehicles,\u201d Maj. Ryan Weed, a program manager in DIU\u2019s space portfolio, said in a March 16 statement. \u201cThe HyCAT project represents a paradigm shift in viewing the hypersonic realm as a place for aircraft, not just missiles and weapons.\u201d<\/p>\n DIU gave no value for the contract. Hypersonix did not immediately respond to a request for details.<\/p>\n The military services are pursuing about 70 programs aimed at developing aircraft and weapons that can travel at hypersonic speeds, or faster than Mach 5.\u00a0Testing infrastructure has been a limiting factor in the technology development process<\/a>, with many programs conducting only a few trials each year. The Pentagon plans to increase that cadence and eventually fly at least one test per week, and HyCAT is part of that strategy.<\/p>\n The aircraft developed by Hypersonix, dubbed DART AE, will test high-speed platforms, components, sensors and communications and control systems. According to the company, DART AE is powered by a hydrogen-fueled scramjet engine and can fly at speeds up to Mach 7. The aircraft is scheduled to fly for the first time in early 2024, and HyCAT testing is expected to begin in the next 12-18 months.<\/p>\n DIU announced a second HyCAT award this week with California-based Fenix Space. The company builds a reusable tow-launch system that the agency expects will \u201cimprove the efficiency and affordability of high-cadence test flights.\u201d Neither DIU nor Fenix provided details on the value of the contract.<\/p>\n \u201cThe data and analyses resulting from these prototype tests will accelerate the evaluation of potential weapon system concepts, technologies and mission sets,\u201d DIU said.<\/p>\n Along with the initial HyCAT awards, the agency said it expects to issue more contracts in the coming months for advanced materials to support prototype tests.<\/p>\n