Second Hypersonic Test Bed flight completed for US Missile Defence Agency
The MDA supported NASA’s successful launch of the HTB flyer demonstration on 13 January from Wallops Flight Facility. (Photo: MDA)
The US Missile Defence Agency (MDA) teamed up with other Department of Defense organisations, industry and academia to conduct the test.
The US MDA completed the second flight test of the Hypersonic Test Bed (HTB), a test designated HTB-2, on 13 January, just days after Kratos Defense & Security Solutions was awarded a US$1.5 billion contract to support hypersonic development work.
During HTB-2, a sounding rocket propelled the glide vehicle into hypersonic flight prior to separation.
MDA director Lt Gen Heath Collins said the test “demonstrates our ability to affordably replicate hypersonic capabilities to enable testing of future hypersonic defence capabilities”.
Collins remarked: “The data gained from this flight test will enable further pursuit of state-of-the-art hypersonic technologies that can operate reliably
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
Read this Article
Get access to this article with a Free Basic Account
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 2 free stories per week
- Daily news round-up email service
- Access to all Decisive Edge email newsletters
Unlimited Access
Access to all our premium news as a Premium News 365 Member. Corporate subscriptions available.
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 14-day free trial (cancel at any time)
- Unlimited access to all published premium news
More from Air Warfare
-
![Uruguayan Air Force firms up options for five more A-29 Super Tucanos]()
Uruguayan Air Force firms up options for five more A-29 Super Tucanos
The air force converted options from its original August 2024 deal for five additional aircraft, rounding its total out to six firm orders.
-
![QinetiQ wins $14 million contract to supply Vindicator drones to US Navy]()
QinetiQ wins $14 million contract to supply Vindicator drones to US Navy
The five-year contract is reportedly the largest provision of uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) support for use by the US Navy (USN) and will run until late 2029.
-
![Pentagon approves $100 million Bell 412 sale to Zambia]()
Pentagon approves $100 million Bell 412 sale to Zambia
The deal highlights Zambia’s ongoing pursuit to buy more Bell 412s to round out its diverse helicopter fleet.
-
![US Navy to explore integration of LRASMs on F-15E and F-15EX aircraft]()
US Navy to explore integration of LRASMs on F-15E and F-15EX aircraft
The contract opportunity, spearheaded by Naval Air Systems Command, intends to integrate and test the AGM-158C missile on the aircraft platform.
-
![ITPS Canada selects Avioniq simulation technology for training]()
ITPS Canada selects Avioniq simulation technology for training
With Avioniq’s AqLab and AqModel, students will be able to train using models of currently deployed missile types.
-
![FLIR Defense to provide 125 electro-optic sensors to US Coast Guard]()
FLIR Defense to provide 125 electro-optic sensors to US Coast Guard
The systems will be installed on US Coast Guard (USCG) MH-60 and MH-65 helicopters.
