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.

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