The US has begun another hypersonic missile program.
American defense firm Leidos recently announced it has been contracted to assist the US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) in developing an air-breathing hypersonic system.
The $334-million agreement requires the company to design a large hypersonic platform with increased range and payload capacity over present systems.
A scramjet engine will be integrated into the system to propel it long distances at more than five times the speed of sound.
The air-breathing platform will also support intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions.
“To deliver the next generation of air-breathing hypersonic systems, we’ll leverage our years of investment, knowledge, and success in the hypersonic field,” Leidos president Steve Cook said. “Our team is prepared to undertake this vital mission for our nation.
Project Mayhem
Leidos recently released an artist’s rendering of the Mayhem hypersonic platform featuring delta-shaped wings and a single vertical tail.
The single-engine unmanned system has a fuselage design that is relatively long and narrow.
According to the US Department of Defense, the system will have a standardized payload interface to enable substantial technological advancements in the future.
The AFRL also mentioned last year that the next-generation platform could be “reusable.”
Work for the contract will be carried out at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, with expected completion by October 2028.
