DARPA's Latest HAWC Flight Test Demonstrates
Mature, Affordable Hypersonic Systems Design and Manufacturing
Techniques
PALMDALE, Calif., Jan. 30,
2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Defense Advanced Research
Projects Agency (DARPA), Air Force Research Lab (AFRL), Lockheed
Martin (NYSE: LMT) and Aerojet Rocketdyne (NYSE: AJRD) team
accomplished their primary objectives during its
second Hypersonic Air-breathing Weapon Concept (HAWC) flight
test doubling the amount of scramjet powered vehicle data.
Launching from a B-52, the HAWC system's first stage boosted it
to the targeted engine ignition envelope, where the Aerojet
Rocketdyne scramjet engine fired and accelerated the system to
speeds in excess of Mach 5. The system performed as predicted
travelling more than 300 nautical miles and reaching altitudes
above 60,000 feet.
"Affordability and reliability are essential as we work to
develop operational hypersonic solutions," said John Clark, vice president and general manager
Lockheed Martin Skunk Works®. "Both of our HAWC flight
tests launched from an operational aircraft and matched performance
models and predictions to aid affordable, rapid development of
future hypersonic weapons."
The Lockheed Martin Skunk Works and Aerojet Rocketdyne team
worked together to progress low-cost advanced manufacturing
technologies, prioritizing extreme durability to vastly reduce
piece and part cost. Through the purposeful integration of digital
technologies throughout the design, test, and manufacturing
process, the team validated that hypersonic systems can be produced
affordably at the rates required to meet the urgent national
need.
Lockheed Martin's Background in Hypersonic Systems
Lockheed Martin's played a significant role in the research,
development and demonstration of hypersonic technologies for close
to 60 years. The corporation made significant investments in the
development of critical hypersonic technologies needed to enable
operational systems to help the U.S. and its allies counter rapidly
emerging threats.
About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda,
Maryland, Lockheed Martin Corporation is a global security
and aerospace company that employs approximately 116,000 people
worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design,
development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced
technology systems, products and services.
Please follow @LMNews on Twitter for the latest
announcements and news across the corporation.
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SOURCE Lockheed Martin Aeronautics