Hypersonics EMD

The Hypersonics EMD program managed by the Program Executive Office Missiles and Space (PEO MS) and a follow-on of the Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO), aims to field critical enabling technologies and capabilities to address near-term and mid-term threats. Specifically, the program focuses on the development and prototype fielding of the Long Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) to defeat Anti Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) capabilities, suppress adversary Long Range Fires, and engage other high payoff/time critical targets. The LRHW system consists of the All Up Rounds (AUR) with canister (AUR+C), including the Common Hypersonic Glide Body (CHGB) with the Navy 34.5 inch booster, the Battery Operations Center (BOC) for command and control (C2), and the Transporter Erector Launcher (TEL). The program also involves collaboration with the Navy in LRHW development.

The funding supports various activities such as planning, prototype manufacturing, testing, delivery of LRHW components, technology development, integration, assembly, test and delivery of AUR+C system, ground support equipment planning and integration efforts, LRHW technology development and deployment, additional training development, test planning, execution and analysis of Joint Flight Campaigns (JFC), Army operational and developmental tests. The program also includes system engineering/program management for RDT&E efforts. Additionally, it involves purchasing live AUR+C components and training canisters to support LRHW training, evaluation, certification, and delivery. The program's acquisition strategy includes fielding two additional Hypersonic Weapons System Batteries with residual operational capability by FY 2025 and FY 2027. These Battery Level assets are part of the Long Range Fires Battalion in support of Multi-domain Operations. The Army is purchasing AUR+Cs from the Navy's Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) contract with Lockheed Martin. Battery 2 AUR+Cs will be purchased with RDT&E incremental funding and transition to Procurement funding for Battery 3 in alignment with the Navy CPS strategy. Additional AUR+Cs will be purchased with RDT&E incremental funding to support annual Joint Flight Campaign test/training events. The Army provides the CHGB as Government Furnished Equipment to the Navy CPS contracts through a sole source Other Transaction Authority agreement to Dynetics.

In summary, this budget line item aims to advance hypersonic weapon technology through research, development, testing, evaluation activities that support LRHW fielding while aligning with Army's Long Range Precision Fires modernization priority.