USN continues hypersonic developments
Systems Planning and Analysis (SPA) on 23 November announced a subcontract from SAIC to continue supporting the Conventional Prompt Strike advanced hypersonic programme for the USN at the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) in Crane, Indiana.
SPA is teamed with prime contractor SAIC on a five-year contract worth $63.5 million, as part of a relationship on hypersonic development dating back to 2016.
Work under the latest contract includes programme management and budget support, system safety, risk management, scheduling, system and subsystem test and evaluation, ‘and system integration of the weapon system onto operational platforms’, SPA noted.
The Conventional Prompt Strike programme aims to field a hypersonic boost-glide vehicle on USN submarines. An intermediate-range missile is initially envisaged by the USN for an Ohio-class SSGN. The USN also plans to arm new Virginia-class boats with this hypersonic strike weapon, beginning in 2028.
Furthermore, USN Vice Adm Richard Brown said in January 2020 that Zumwalt-class destroyers should be armed with hypersonic weapons.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
More from Naval Warfare
-
HII names LPD 30 the USS Harrisburg
The naming of the Harrisburg moves the first Flight II San Antonio-class vessel on towards active service.
-
South Korean navy orders four more Geomdoksuri Batch-II patrol vessels
The contract follows on from previous work by Hanjin Heavy Industries on the Republic of Korea's Navy’s (ROKN's) fleet.
-
Virginia and Columbia-class submarine programmes sign long-term parts deals
Parts from both US and Australian manufacturers will be used to build two critical submarine classes.
-
Joint Expeditionary Force launches AI protection net for undersea cables
The UK-led system assesses potential threats before they result in undersea cable damage.
-
Entire Black Sea “a contested maritime area”, says Commander of Estonian Navy
The use of uncrewed vessels and vehicles has been crucial so far, but the Commander of the Estonian Navy warns against inflating their importance.
-
Algeria signals a shift to domestic shipbuilding for Type 056 corvettes
The government recently commissioned a report on the viability of increased Algerian shipbuilding.