Lockheed Martin secures Navy hypersonic strike integration contract

The U.S. Navy has awarded security and aerospace company Lockheed Martin a contract to integrate hypersonic strike capability onto surface ships.

The scope of work involves integrating the Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) weapon system onto ZUMWALT-class guided missile destroyers (DDGs). The CPS hypersonic boost-glide weapon system enables long-range missile flight at speeds greater than Mach 5, with high survivability against enemy defenses.

The contract is worth over $2 billion if all options are exercised.

“Lockheed Martin continues to advance hypersonic strike capability for the United States through this new contract,” Lockheed Martin Hypersonic Strike Weapon Systems Vice President Steve Layne said. “Early design work is already underway. Our team looks forward to supporting the warfighter by providing more options to further protect America at sea.”

According to the agreement, Lockheed Martin is slated to provide launcher systems, weapon control, and All Up Rounds (AURs), which are the integrated missile components and platform integration support for this naval platform.

The company is on schedule to provide the CPS hypersonic strike capability to Navy personnel by the mid-2020s, with officials indicating the contract would also provide for additional AURs plus canisters for the U.S. Army’s Long Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) testing, training, and tactical employment.