Hypersonics

PE 0604182A: Hypersonics is a Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) Army program element focused on advancing hypersonic weapon technologies to address near-term and mid-term threats. The overarching goal is to develop, prototype, and transition critical enabling capabilities that align with the Army's Long Range Precision Fires modernization priority. This program supports the rapid procurement and fielding of hypersonic systems, leveraging advancements in materials, manufacturing, and design to enhance Army lethality and responsiveness against adversary long-range fires and time-sensitive targets.

HX3: All Up Round and Canister (AUR+C) is the primary line item funded in FY26, supporting the Blackbeard Ground Launch (GL) hypersonic missile development. The objective is to deliver an affordable, mass-produced hypersonic weapon for mid-range precision strikes, capable of integration with existing Army launcher platforms such as HIMARS. Key activities in FY26 include prototype refinement, system flight tests, and software validation, culminating in a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) flight test and a Flight Termination System Trade Study. The program uses a Middle Tier of Acquisition for Rapid Prototyping (MTA-RP) pathway and a Fixed-Firm-Price sole-source contract, emphasizing risk reduction and accelerated development.

HX4: Common Hypersonic Glide Body (CHGB) funding in FY24 was primarily for congressional adds supporting near net shape materials research. The CHGB is a joint Army-Navy effort, forming the core of the Long Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) system and sharing a common booster. The goal is to field an experimental prototype with residual combat capability at the battery level, enabling strategic attacks to defeat Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) threats and suppress adversary long-range fires. The acquisition strategy leverages Other Transaction Authorities (OTAs) and Navy contracts.

HX5: Ground Support Equipment (GSE) funding in prior years supported planning, manufacturing, and integration of essential infrastructure for LRHW deployment. This includes the Battery Operations Center (BOC), Transporter Erector Launcher (TEL), and systems integration with the AUR+C. The GSE ensures operational readiness and supports multi-domain operations by providing necessary equipment and training canisters. The acquisition approach combines OTAs and Navy contracts and includes contractor logistics support for initial fielding.

HX6: Test and Evaluation funding in prior years supported planning and execution of flight test events for the LRHW system. These activities are critical for validating system performance, stability, and integration with command and control networks such as AFATDS. Test and evaluation efforts include live-fire demonstrations, post-flight analyses, and operational assessments to ensure the hypersonic weapon system meets Army requirements for strategic attack and rapid response. The acquisition strategy aligns with the overall program, utilizing OTAs and Navy contracts to expedite test schedules and support efficient transition to production.

The FY26 funding request