Raytheon Missiles and Defense secures Air Force contract for Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile prototypes

Raytheon Missiles and Defense has secured a $985,348,124 Air Force contract to develop and demonstrate Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile (HACM) prototypes.

“HACM is a powerful example of developing and integrating combat capabilities alongside our partners from the beginning,” Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. said. “HACM will provide our commanders with tactical flexibility to employ fighters to hold high-value, time-sensitive targets at risk while maintaining bombers for other strategic targets.”

The HACM is designed to hold high-value targets at risk in contested environments from standoff distances.

Two years ago, the U.S. Air Force entered into a multi-year project with Australia known as the Southern Cross Integrated Flight Research Experiment (SCIFiRE) to develop air-breathing hypersonic cruise missile prototypes.

Raytheon Technologies Corp. was one of three companies awarded 15-month SCIFiRE contracts in June 2021, tasked with completing preliminary designs of a hypersonic cruise missile.

The program now advances to operationalizing the Raytheon SCIFiRE prototype design for fighter aircraft integration while delivering two leave-behind assets with operational utility.

“Raytheon Missiles & Defense continues to be at the forefront of hypersonic weapon and air-breathing technology development,” Raytheon Missiles & Defense President Wes Kremer said. “With advanced threats emerging around the globe, the Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile will provide our warfighters a much-needed capability.”

The Air Force indicated it plans to deliver HACM capability with operational utility by fiscal year 2027.