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.
Related Stories
Russia successfully tests new hypersonic Tsirkon missile:
Russia says it has successfully tested a new hypersonic anti-ship cruise missile in a move hailed by President Vladimir Putin as a "great event" for the country.
The military said on Wednesday that the Tsirkon missile was fired from the Admiral Gorshkov frigate in the White Sea on Tuesday morning in the Russian Arctic and successfully hit its target.
Valery Gerasimov, chief of the Russian military's General Staff, told Putin – who turned 68 on Wednesday – that it was the first time the missile had successfully struck a target at sea.
"The tasks of the launch were carried out. The test-fire was successful," he told Putin. Gerasimov said the missile hit its target 450 kilometres (280 miles) away in the Barents Sea and reached a speed of Mach 8 – eight times the speed of sound.
China and America have also been developing hypersonic missiles.
Previously:
US Hails New Milestone in Development of Hypersonic Weapons
Russia Takes Lead by Deploying Hypersonic Nuclear Warheads First
Air-Breathing Engine Precooler Achieves Record-Breaking Mach 5 Performance
Putin Hails Successful Test Of Russia's New Hypersonic Missile
China Tests Hypersonic Aircraft "Starry Sky-2"
General: U.S. Has No Defense Against "Hypersonic Weapons"
Hypersonic Cruise Missile Scores USD$175m DARPA Cash
(Score: 3, Insightful) by gnuman on Wednesday November 02 2016, @03:11PM
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.
I always prefer to save money over duration of voyage. The difference is only a few hours anyway, so who cares? If your flight is $500 vs. $2000 and you save 12h, sorry, but most of us do not make anywhere near that money per hour. We would always select the $500 flight.
(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.
(Score: 1) by garrulus on Wednesday November 02 2016, @03:33PM
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BrahMos [wikipedia.org]
http://www.ausairpower.net/APA-Rus-Cruise-Missiles.html [ausairpower.net]
(Score: 1) by garrulus on Wednesday November 02 2016, @03:36PM
brahmos 2 ~2017
(Score: 2) by GreatAuntAnesthesia on Wednesday November 02 2016, @05:02PM
Don't 'splode me Brah.
(Score: 0, Redundant) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 02 2016, @05:30PM
Is that "D" brought to you by the Department of Redundancy Department?
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 02 2016, @09:18PM
No! The "D" is redundant you idiot! Not the post!
Geeze, what moron mods we have around here.
(Score: 2) by http on Thursday November 03 2016, @03:44AM
How come nobody is invading the USA to stop their WMD program?
I browse at -1 when I have mod points. It's unsettling.
(Score: 2) by turgid on Thursday November 03 2016, @09:13PM
God hasn't told them to yet.
I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent [wikipedia.org].