The USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000), being modernised to carry hypersonic missiles, may benefit from the US Navy’s continued investment in the technology. Credit: HII.

The US Navy has awarded a $63m contract to Science Applications International (SAIC) for advanced hypersonic weapon concepts and strategic missions solutions, the company announced on 4 January.

The capability will go to support the Navy’s Strategic Systems Programs (SSP) and the Strategic Systems Hardware Divisions of the Naval Surface Warfare Center based in Crane Indiana. 

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A significant aspect of SAIC’s contract is its focus on rapid analysis and engineering principles across the US Department of Defense’s (DoD) hypersonic initiatives. SAIC’s support to NSWC Crane will extend to the development of unique testing capabilities, addressing technological gaps, and recommending solutions for advanced hypersonic concepts and strategic missions. 

The company will also play a crucial role in identifying and assessing key technologies, ensuring their suitability for specific applications, including flight qualification. Toward this end, SAIC will enhance next generation systems, to include Hardware-in-the-Loop (HWIL) and Software-in-the-Loop (SWIL) simulations and manufacturing techniques.

The scope of SAIC’s contract encompasses several critical areas. This includes the enhancement of hypersonic systems, subsystems, components, and technologies. 

Barbara Supplee, the senior vice president of the Navy Business Group at SAIC, expressed the company’s commitment to this initiative. She highlighted SAIC’s continuous efforts in providing expert systems integration and technology solutions in alignment with the US Navy’s strategic priorities.

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Supplee anticipated the company playing a pivotal role in the research, development, and integration of next-generation hypersonic technology, primarily conducted at the US Navy’s Crane facility and other key locations.

As apart of a recent $66.7m modernisation contract for the Zumwalt-class destroyer (DDG 1000), HII replaced the 155mm twin guns with Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) systems, a conventional boost-glide hypersonic weapon system with a two stage solid rocket motor booster and a Common Hypersonic Glide body containing a kinetic warhead.

The GlobalData “Thematic Intelligence: Hypersonic Technologies (2023)” report identified the CPS as dominating US Navy’s proposed budget for hypersonic weapons development for 2023, capturing 44.1% of funds.