As a result, \u201cthe DoD research community\u201d then has to \u201cpick up\u201d where the prototype efforts left off to fill capability gaps and bring the prototypes up to snuff for the warfighters. And, in turn, having to focus on ongoing programs \u201cdoesn\u2019t leave a lot of money or time\u201d for researchers to work on cutting-edge, next-generation capabilities.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to make sure that \u2026 we\u2019re not locked into something for the next 30-40 years because we\u2019re loathe to invest in a new system,\u201d she said. \u201cWe know that when we look at our potential adversaries, they\u2019re already on their next ones.\u201d<\/p>\n Therefore, she said, her office is looking at what might be needed to build the next-generation boost glide vehicles, coming in behind the Air Force\u2019s\u00a0AGM-183A Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW)<\/a>\u00a0and the Navy\u00a0Conventional Prompt Strike\u00a0<\/a>weapon. For example, she said, can DoD develop glide vehicles with a higher lift over drag ratio, meaning they can carry a bigger payload for a longer duration over a longer range?<\/p>\n New thermal protection capabilities and \u201creusables\u201d are of interest too, she said.<\/p>\n \u201cIn terms of reusables from a military perspective \u2026 the fastest air-breathing manned jet engine or jet powered systems were spy planes, so SR-71,\u201d Bussey explained. \u201cOne can imagine going faster and having a hypersonic spy plane. You can imagine a reusable system that can fly around and drop payloads and come back, or a hypersonic system that can carry other hypersonic systems.\u201d<\/p>\n She noted that \u201cone thing that\u2019s been frustrating for me in terms of the reusables is there\u2019s no shortage of ideas on how you can use them, but from the department perspective, we\u2019ve got to figure out which direction we\u2019re going, which application we want to invest in, because they\u2019re not cheap.\u201d<\/p>\n As for space systems, Bussey said, the general idea is that using hypersonic tech could make access to space cheaper and more responsive \u2014 that is, with launch capability ready on demand in a crisis. \u201cBut I think we\u2019re a ways away from that,\u201d she admitted.<\/p>\n Prototypes Near Fielding<\/strong><\/p>\n Bussey explained that DoD\u2019s hypersonic research strategy has four phases, and noted that overall current programs are in \u201cphase two, shifting to phase three\u201d \u2014 with phase two meaning \u201cdeveloping offensive and defensive system rapid prototypes\u201d and phase three, \u201cactually fielding those systems elements in limited quantities.\u201d<\/p>\n Phase four, she explained, would be moving prototype projects into actual programs of record, although no efforts have yet hit that stage. Nonetheless, she said, \u201cwe\u2019re well on track to having a program of record with some of those systems, and that\u2019s where you get to the significant quantities that we need to really make a difference on the battlefield.\u201d<\/p>\n The effort closest to achieving phase three, she said, is Army\u2019s\u00a0Long Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW)<\/a>\u00a0program. \u201cWe\u2019re looking at having that fielded in the next year or two,\u201d she said. The Army\u00a0already has fielded launchers,\u00a0<\/a>trucks and other ground systems for training. \u201cThe only thing that\u2019s missing is the missile,\u201d she said. The Army has said\u00a0it intends to deliver the first battery<\/a>\u00a0of LRHW missiles next year.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a pretty successful effort. So this will be our first system that will actually be deployed and ready for use,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Bussey explained that the LRHW uses the\u00a0Common Hypersonic Glide Body,\u00a0<\/a>which was successfully tested last year and now transitioned to the Army, as well as to the Navy for the Conventional Prompt Strike system which also is nearing fielding.<\/p>\n This leaves the Air Force\u2019s ARRW (pronounced arrow) sort of out in the cold \u2014 stuck in the phase one concept development and initial testing stage. ARRW, being developed by prime contractor Lockheed Martin, is a hypersonic glide vehicle designed to be carried by a B-52 bomber. ARRW\u00a0failed its first flight test in April,\u00a0<\/a>as well as a second booster flight test\u00a0on July 28.\u00a0<\/a>Nonetheless, the service \u2014\u00a0for the moment, anyway<\/a>\u00a0\u2014 remains wedded to beginning production of the missile in 2022.<\/p>\n Pivot To Air-Breathers<\/strong><\/p>\n Since 2019, the Pentagon has increasingly focused on developing lighter scramjet technologies, but at the moment the ongoing air-breathing programs also are in phase one, Bussey explained.<\/p>\n That includes DARPA\u2019s classified\u00a0Hypersonic Air-Breathing Weapons Concept (HAWC)<\/a>\u00a0program. HAWC, built by Raytheon Technologies, had its\u00a0first successful flight test on Sept. 27.<\/a>\u00a0Few details have been provided, and Bussey also demurred \u2014 although she waxed optimistic about the program.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re one step closer to transitioning HAWC to a program of record to offer a next-generation capability to the US military,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Bussey said that another key effort is her own office\u2019s\u00a0HyFly 2<\/a>\u00a0propulsion risk reduction program, designed to \u201cprovide another option to our decision makers\u201d for a smaller scramjet that would fit on the Navy\u2019s F\/A-18 carrier launched jets. The office contracted last year with Boeing as the prime.<\/p>\n \u201cWe funded them to about $50 million to mature that propulsion system to preliminary design review. And we\u2019re really happy with how that\u2019s been going,\u201d she said. \u201cWe see that that\u2019s really making a difference, and really helping the Air Force and the Navy make decisions about what programs they want to pursue.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.fie.undef.edu.ar\/ceptm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Screen-Shot-2021-11-15-at-2.39.45-PM-350x200-1.png\")
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