The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) announced that a test flight of an experimental hypersonic missile at altitudes of 60,000 feet, speeds of more than Mach 5, and distances of 300 nautical miles showed “improved capabilities and performance.”
The Hypersonic Airbreathing Weapon Concept (HAWC) missile developed by DARPA and the United States Air Force (USAF) successfully completed its final test flight, manufactured by Lockheed Martin. Similar speeds, altitudes, and ranges were attained, making this an expansion on the Lockheed missile’s maiden voyage in March.
“This month’s flight added an exclamation point to the most successful hypersonic airbreathing flight test program in US history,” said Walter Price, an Air Force deputy for the HAWC program. “The things we’ve learned from HAWC will certainly enhance future U.S. Air Force capabilities.”
Even though the HAWC program has completed its final phase, there is still data to analyze and additional opportunities to advance the technology, DARPA emphasized. “DARPA plans to continue that maturation in the More Opportunities with HAWC (MOHAWC) program by building and flying more vehicles that build upon HAWC’s advances.” “Those missiles will expand the operating envelope of the scramjet and provide technology on-ramps for future programs of record.”
