![\"Hypersonic](\"https:\/\/img.militaryaerospace.com\/files\/base\/ebm\/mae\/image\/2019\/06\/16x9\/hypersonic_missile_18_June_2019.5d0854e124cf0.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=405&w=720\")
REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. \u2013<\/b>\u00a0U.S. missile-defense experts needed a small navigation-grade\u00a0gyroscope-accelerometer<\/a>\u00a0that functions under the severe acceleration, shock, and vibration of a hypersonic missile. They found their solution from Vector Atomic Inc. in Pleasanton, Calif.<\/p>\nOfficials of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) at Redstone Arsenal, Ala., announced a $4.4 million three-year contract to Vector Atomic last week for the MDA Hypersonic Defense Component Technology program.<\/p>\n
Vector Atomic won a contract to design a micro-flatpack accelerometer-gyroscope sensor using hybrid integrated photonics. The company will develop and test a low size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C<\/a>) navigation-grade gyroscope-accelerometer capable of navigating under the severe acceleration, shock, and vibration characteristics of a hypersonic missile interceptor.<\/p>\n The National Defense Strategy (NDS) released in January 2018 lists hypersonics as one of the top priorities of the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD).<\/p>\n MDA is the DOD’s lead agency for crafting defenses against enemy hypersonic missiles, with components and enabling technologies that can be developed in a hurry.<\/p>\n The MDA Hypersonic Component Technology Program seeks innovative component technologies and weapon system concepts that can address the\u00a0hypersonic<\/a>\u00a0threat quickly enough to enable the U.S. to maintain military superiority against an advancing threat, MDA officials say.<\/p>\n The contract to Vector Atomic consists of a one-year base period contract of $1.5 million; a $1.4 million one-year option period; and a $1.5 million one-year option-two period.<\/p>\n