Scott Wilson, developmental test lead for hypersonics and advanced capabilities at the U.S. Navy, said the Department of Defense is building a new hypersonics test bed to reach its goal of conducting at least one flight per week, DefenseNews reported Tuesday.
DOD is working with an industry team led by Leidos subsidiary Dynetics on the Multi-Service Advanced Capability Hypersonics Test Bed development to advance the development and deployment of weapon systems capable of flying at speeds greater than Mach 5.
“We have to test more often to collect data and provide that data to our stakeholders so they can make evaluations on their weapon systems, what they want to transition, what types of technology can help feed them and help provide additional capability,” said Wilson.
The MACH-TB program aims to perform early tests in the spring or summer of 2023, focusing on higher-priority DOD programs, including the U.S. Army’s Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon.
Dynetics, which will serve as the initiative’s prime integrator, has subcontracted Kratos Defense & Security Solutions to support the development of a modular experimental glide body for the test bed.
