HyStrike

Some info on hypersonic strike weapon projects here http://www.atk.com/AdvancedWeaponSystems/advanceweaponsystems_hyfly.asp

The US has had so many hypersonic research initiatives in the last ten years that it’s hard to keep them straight. I really thought Fasthawk was the way to go but they’ve advanced their knowledge so fast that it was obsolete before they even got to the flight test stage. It will be interesting to see how things shake out. My guess is we’ll end up with a missile that is VLS compatible, Mach 6 – 8 and 500 – 800 mile range powered by a dual combustion ramjet or a hydrocarbon scramjet. Maybe it’ll come in two sizes as the new vertical launch cells for DDX are quite a bit bigger. Anything with a non-cylindrical crossection is probably a non-starter because of VLS incompatibilites. Maybe we’ll end up with cylindrical missiles and an aero-shaped larger UCAV type vehicle.

HyStrike will begin the development of an operational hypersonic weapon that will be fielded in the 2005 to 2012 time frame. The surface-launched system could hit underground targets to a depth of 12 meters after flying at beyond Mach 4. The wingless missile would change direction in flight by using a bending body joint.

A unique aspect of this Navy programs is that the goal is a single hypersonic strike weapon that will be launchable from air, surface and subsurface platforms. This is a first-time collaboration between these three communities to develop a common weapon system for time-critical and deeply buried targets. It is intended to produce increased operations effectiveness as well as life-cycle cost saving.

When fielded, the hypersonic strike weapon is intended to have a major positive impact on battlespace management. The weapon’s greatly decreased time to target will give the command, control, communications, computers and intelligence (C4I) components more time to search for and identify time-critical threats. Powerful kinetic penetrators will defeat the enemy’s tactic of burrowing deeper or building stronger bunkers. And the ability to take out threat weapons before they are launched will increase US and allied survivability, efficiently, cost effectively – and soon.

The hypersonic weapon’s immense destructive power results from kinetic energy. An object striking a target at Mach 8 will generate 64 times the force of an object of the same mass striking the target at Mach 1. This phenomenon makes hypersonic weapons well suited to attacking hardened or deeply buried targets such as command bunkers or biological-weapon storage facilities.

Aerothermic heating, caused by the friction of air passing the weapon body, is one area of intensive research. At Mach 4, as the hypersonic weapon passes through the lower atmosphere in the terminal phase of its flight, its surface reaches about 1200 degrees Fahrenheit. This level is within the tolerance range of new titanium and inconel materials. At Mach 6, however, the surface temperatures exceed 2800 F and at Mach 8 over 5600 F; skin materials, as well as internal temperature control, become a much larger issue.

The compliance of this long-range system with various bilateral arms control treaties remains an unresolved issue.

Joint SuperSonic Cruise Missile (JSSCM)

In April 2002 the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) solicited information from missile system integrators and other interested parties on technology available for a transformational approach to providing an affordable Supersonic Cruise Missile (SSCM) Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration (ACTD). The SSCM ACTD will culminate in a technology demonstration of a supersonic cruise missile system capable of functionally disabling time sensitive Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) targets, hardened and deeply buried WMD targets, or both. Time sensitive WMD targets are broadly classified as those posing imminent threat of conducting or supporting hostile attack (or re-attack) on U.S. or allied forces or civilian population centers. Government sponsorship of the SSCM ACTD includes DTRA, the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), and the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV), with additional international participation.

The objective of the 16 April 2002 RFI was to identify technological concepts and performance potential for the SSCM ACTD, which may also be used as the basis for developing the SSCM ACTD performance specification. This specification may subsequently be provided to industry as part of the anticipated SSCM ACTD solicitation.

The SSCM ACTD will operationally demonstrate an integrated system concept – including targeting, launch control, flight vehicle, payload (warhead and fuzing), and damage assessment – using mature and evolving technologies. Technologies of particular importance for the SSCM ACTD include but are not limited to: (a) the integrated airframe and propulsion system; (b) potential payloads for time-sensitive surface targets; (c) a potential penetrator warhead; (d) low-cost smart-fuzing options; (e) autonomous guidance, navigation, and control technologies; and (f) battle damage indication / assessment to provide positive, real-time or near real time feedback using anticipated Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance resources (C4ISR).

Key performance parameters for the SSCM ACTD include but are not limited to: (a) terminal accuracy of 3 meters Circular Error Probable (CEP) or better, excluding Target Location Error (good weather, no jamming); (b) a range of at least 400 nautical miles with a goal of at least 600 nautical miles; (c) a cruising speed of at least Mach 3.5 with a goal of Mach 4.5 or better; (d) for any air-launched demonstration variant, a maximum all-up-round launch weight of less than 2000 lbs. with a goal of 1800 lbs.; (e) warhead penetration capability of at least 10 meters with a goal of 15 meters or better through 5 ksi concrete; (f) soft target kill capability and bio-defeat fill compatibility; and (g) a strike planning, preparation, and launch duration, from receipt of target coordinates for mission planning to physical weapon release/exit from the launch platform, of less than 6 minutes.

Important design considerations for the SSCM ACTD and any follow-on program include but are not limited to: (a) potential production affordability (assuming a production run of 200 missiles per year for five contiguous years, starting in FY07), yielding a weapon that is more cost effective than currently produced systems; (b) design flexibility and/or use of a common missile body with unique launch kits and/or boosters that allows for a launch capability from surface combatants (using existing MK 41 VLS), aircraft (F/A-18E/F strike aircraft ; USN P-3; and potentially USAF bomber platforms, including B-1B internal and B-52 external carriage), and potentially sub-surface combatants (VLS); (c) survivability, including GPS jamming resistance; (d) all-weather operation; (e) fire-and-forget operation; (f) Pre-Planned Product Improvement (P3I) approach for in-flight retargeting; (g) low life cycle cost and ease of maintenance; (h) concept of operations (CONOPS); (i) payload modularity – that is, missile compatibility with alternate warhead concepts; (j) manufacturability and P3I considerations for a potential System Development and Demonstration (SDD)/Production phase; (k) post-ACTD residual deployment compatibility with anticipated strike planning systems; and (l) ability to pass a shipboard Weapon System Explosive Safety Review Board (WSESRB) and aircraft safety review and to be compliant with standard range safety flight test program requirements. The SSCM ACTD system shall be SALT II, START, and Missile Technology Control Regime (MCTR) compliant.

An addendum on the trade space of speed, range, weight, and payload versus cost is desired that encompasses operating characteristics beyond both lower and upper ends of desired performance. Potentially reduced performance versions of interest would be desirable to meet the following needs: (a) for surface combatants, to support enhanced Naval Surface Fire Support (NSFS) volumes of fire support requirements with multiple weapons/payloads in a single MK 41 VLS canister; (b) for air, to support an optimum carrier strike wing package with a missile range of at least 300 nautical miles that meets the F/A-18E/F weapons carriage requirements and permits carrier recovery of the F/A-18E/F with two weapons aboard; and (c) for sub-surface combatants, to support VLS and Torpedo Tube Launch.

The U.S. Government is seeking transformational approaches in program management and technology integration which will be required to provide an affordable solution to this composite problem. Respondents are free to address the problem of targets that may relocate after attack coordinates are derived for them but are stationary during missile terminal attack, and targets that may be moving during missile terminal attack, but these attack modes are not required of the ACTD system and may be addressed in terms of a P3I approach.

RFI respondents should provide Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) cost estimates to complete the ACTD program, based on the following assumptions: (1) ACTD go-ahead in January 2004, with demonstrations complete by the end of CY07; (2) any Contractor team would provide for: (a) ACTD systems engineering, systems integration, project management, (b) conduct of two system demonstration flights – at least one surface-launched (US Navy VLS system mock-up on land test range) and potentially one air-launched (US Navy aircraft) flight – with each demonstration including transition to cruise, terminal guidance and impact with required CEP, (c) fabrication of test missiles as well as ten residual operational assets and associated operational and support equipment (including mission planning components), (d) verification of actual test performance against objectives and validation of test goals and modeling and simulations, (e) other ancillary tests or modeling and simulation adequate to ensure the ACTD system meets performance requirements, (f) appropriate level of documentation deliverables, and (g) any other tests that the contractor recommends for a successful ACTD; and (3) target preparation and flight test range costs would be borne by the Government.

Revolutionary Approach To Time Critical Long Range Strike Project (RATTLRS)

RATTLRS is a technology demo program at this point and not a weapon development program. RATTLRS is part of the National Aerospace Initiative [NAI] construct. Responses to this announcement are sought to demonstrate and increase high-speed flight capabilities and performance for expendable supersonic vehicles. RATTLRS is a joint project between the Navy, Air Force, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and potentially other government agencies. There are two aspects to this project. The first, RATTLRS Flight Demonstration Project (RATTLRS FDP) includes concept studies, design, development, fabrication and test of flight vehicles.

The goal of the RATTLRS FDP is to conduct at least three demonstration flights, with the first flight thirty-six (36) to thirty-eight (38) months after contract award, and the project completed forty-eight (48) months after award. The second aspect is the optional RATTLRS Technology Development Project (TDP), focused towards developing and maturing technologies for inclusion in potential future high-speed flight demonstrations. The potential for additional flight demonstrations depends upon risk reduction, technology development rationale and funding availability. The maximum contract value of any individual contract could be up to $175M. The cost of the demo program to be $50M. There are two propulsion contractors in the market place that have the capability and prior experience to provide engines for RATTLRS.

The flight demonstration vehicle of interest to the RATTLRS project is of a size, weight and configuration that has potential to develop into a tactical weapon system. The flight demonstrator vehicle must have the following attributes:

The demonstration vehicles must use a turbine engine as propulsion.
The demonstration vehicles must be capable of acceleration from a subsonic speed to a minimum cruise condition of Mach 3.0 (~3,000 km/hr) using only turbine power, at a minimum acceleration rate of 0.25 g through the transonic flight region (in level flight).
Maintain a cruise speed of Mach 3.0 or greater for a period of at least five (5) minutes [implying a range of about 250 km].
It is desirable that the flight demonstration project allow for growth opportunities (via RATTLRS TDP) for the design in areas such as:

Increased cruise speed (Mach > 4.0, ~4,000 km/hr)
Increased acceleration (> .5g)
Longer cruise time (> 15 minutes), implying a range up to 1,000 km.
Optimized vehicle configuration for payload, range, or endurance
Improved efficiency in multiple speed regimes.
Reduced cost
Multiple-launch platform capable
The flight demonstration vehicle shall have a size, weight and configuration that has the potential to be developed into a tactical weapon system. Examples of the potential tactical weapons include (1) an air-launched (compatible with the F/A-18 E/F, F-22, and/or Joint Strike Fighter as a launch platform) medium range weapon with a maximum vehicle weight of 1800 lbs including 500 lbs payload or (2) a ship-launched/sub-launched Vertical Launch System (VLS) compatible long range weapon with a maximum weight of 3400 lbs including 750 lbs payload (includes vehicle and any booster required for VLS launch), or one vehicle compatible with multiple launch options if trade studies indicate an advantage to such a configuration. The higher weight would include the booster required to launch the missile from a vertical tube.

On March 1, 2004 the Office of Naval Research awarded the Revolutionary Approach to Time Critical Long Range Strike (RATTLRS) Program to Orbital Sciences Corporation, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Raytheon Company and McDonnell Douglas Corporation. This is a five year (base and options) IDIQ contract with a ceiling value of $175 million.

There are two aspects to this project. The first, RATTLRS Flight Demonstration Project (RATTLRS FDP) includes concept studies, design, development, fabrication and test of flight vehicles. The goal of the RATTLRS FDP is to conduct at least three demonstration flights, with the first flight thirty-six (36) to thirty-eight (38) months after contract award, and the project completed forty-eight (48) months after award.

The second aspect is the optional RATTLRS Technology Development Project (TDP), focused toward developing and maturing technologies for inclusion in potential future high-speed flight demonstrations. The potential for additional flight demonstrations depends upon risk reduction, technology development rationale and funding availability.

On 01 February 2005 the Office of Naval Research awarded Lockheed Martin a phase two contract N00014-04-D-0068-0003 for $157,443,201 including options. RATTLRS, part of the National Aerospace Initiative, is a demonstration program to increase capabilities and performance for expendable supersonic vehicles. Lockheed Martin is teamed with Allison Advanced Development Company to develop technologies that will provide an advanced Mach 4+ integrated propulsion system in an operationally traceable airframe. The Allison YJ102R developmental engine provides more than six times the specific thrust of the engines in the SR-71 reconnaissance aircraft in a simple and inexpensive design suitable for an expendable missile.