Raytheon has scored nearly US$175 million to work on DARPA's ongoing research into hypersonics.
This time, it's not about a hypersonic plane: the program that got its contract announcement on the United States Federal Business Opportunities register today is for a hypersonic weapons system.
HAWC – the Hypersonic Air-breathing Weapon Concept – is a joint project with the US Air Force to "develop and demonstrate critical technologies to enable an effective and affordable air-launched hypersonic cruise missile", the DARPA project page says.
Raytheon's latest contract is for a scramjet HAWC, for which $3.4 million has already been committed.
While rocket-based systems routinely reach hypersonic speeds, a Mach 5 capable cruise missile would be faster to deploy and offer longer ranges than current military systems, DARPA reckons.
The next time you are on a long flight, just think that at Mach 5, you could take a lap around the Earth at the equator in 6.5 hours.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 02 2016, @03:51PM
The cost of blowing up at your destination is so often not factored in as well.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 02 2016, @05:53PM
Who rides a ballistic missile anyway? Honestly!
(Score: 2) by bob_super on Wednesday November 02 2016, @06:48PM
Astronauts.
Astronauts are cool. Why don't you ride a ballistic missile to work, uncool person?
(Score: 1) by nitehawk214 on Wednesday November 02 2016, @06:52PM
Because I don't want my office to be a crater when I arrive.
Wait, let me think about that... Why DON'T I take a ballistic missile to work?
"Don't you ever miss the days when you used to be nostalgic?" -Loiosh
(Score: 2) by bob_super on Wednesday November 02 2016, @07:08PM
Courtesy of new tech, you can just blowtorch the top 10 floors when you land on the roof, instead of making a crater. (most of the time)
Just pinpoint which cube/office you want obliterated first. Crater optional depending on the construction standards and the responsiveness of the fire department.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 02 2016, @07:36PM
The cubicle dogs are dreaming of freedom / vengeance today....
Must be weds...
(Score: 2) by butthurt on Wednesday November 02 2016, @11:40PM
Cruise missiles and ballistic missiles are different. A cruise missile has wings for lift.
(Score: 1) by asdfgh on Thursday November 03 2016, @02:42AM
I'm pretty sure Slim Pickens would do it.