DoD details hypersonic, strategic systems strengthening actions

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has detailed actions the agency maintains will result in strengthening hypersonic and strategic systems supply chains.

The DoD indicated its Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy (OASD(IBP)), via its Office of Manufacturing Capability Expansion and Investment Prioritization (MCEIP) Directorate, has issued a trio of awards targeting the bolstering initiative.

“The Department of Defense continues to deliver on the President’s strategic objectives of supporting industrial sectors critical to our nation’s national security needs and strategic interests,” Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy Laura Taylor-Kale said. “The Biden Administration has identified hypersonics technology as a critical need for ensuring American national security. The Office of Industrial Base Policy – through the MCEIP team, is pleased to act on behalf of the nation to accelerate the advancement of hypersonics technology in the United States.”

General Electric (GE) was awarded a $7.96 million contract to engage in a 39-month effort to increase capacity for producing high- and ultra-high-temperature composites (U/HTC) and modernization of capital equipment to support the scale-up of aeroshell production.

Additionally, C-CAT was awarded a $7.57 million contract to execute a 38-month effort to build new production capabilities; expand existing manufacturing spaces; and acquire capital equipment for the manufacture of large complex assemblies made of carbon-carbon (C-C), a class of advanced composite material that is critical for various defense and aerospace applications.

According to the DoD, Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation has secured a $9.43 million contract to expand the domestic capability for producing U/HTC to support multiple components of hypersonic and strategic systems by procuring automated preform manufacturing equipment and high-temperature furnaces.