Hypersonic weapons development has surged in the past decade. According to Deloitte, the hypersonics industry is expected to grow to $5 billion in 2025. In the US programs like Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile (HACM), Army Long Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW), and Navy Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) show a significant investment in hypersonics. Similarly, both allies and near peer adversaries are engrained in programs of their own. In 2023, IDGA published a Hypersonic Systems report written by Dr. James Bosbotinis, a UK-based defense and international affairs analyst. The report was aimed at detailing key developments in select countries hypersonic investments. The following is an updated version of that report, with a look at the most recent data for each industry.

If you are interested in learning more about hypersonic weapons, register for IDGA’s Hypersonic Weapons Summit this September 17-18 at the Bethesda Marriot in Bethesda, Maryland. This two-day event brings together senior representatives from major programs including the US Air Force, Navy, Army, DARPA, and the Missile Defense Agency, alongside perspectives from Allied programs, will provide a truly international outlook on hypersonic progress, challenges, and developments.

While the pace of research and development in the hypersonics industry remains steady, the Center for National Security Initiatives at the University of Colorado, Boulder is taking steps to ensure the optimization of hypersonic systems thanks to their work with multi-disciplinary high-fidelity models.

Dr. Iain Boyd is the director of the center, and according to Dr. Boyd, high fidelity means putting in a lot of effort to create a super detailed model that gets as close to reality as possible. It's like the difference between using a rough sketch to design a car versus a super detailed blueprint that shows every nut and bolt. In hypersonics this level of detail ensures hypersonic vehicles have optimum performance, which is critical when these vehicles fly at extreme speeds and experience intense heat.

On September 17, Dr. Boyd will present the center’s findings on multi-disciplinary high-fidelity models at the Hypersonic Weapons Summit in Bethesda, Maryland. However, before the event, Dr. Boyd sat down with IDGA to discuss his work at the center and what he is looking forward to at this year’s event.

The growth of the U.S. hypersonic industry has accelerated in the past decade as significant investments continue, notably in programs like Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile, Army Long Range Hypersonic Weapon, and Navy Conventional Prompt Strike. While successful testing has brought hypersonic deployment closer for the United States, technological and operational challenges still exist in the space.

Dr. Mark Lewis, president and CEO of the Purdue Applied Research Institute (PARI), is well-versed in these challenges and the potential impact of hypersonics for the Defense Department. A renowned researcher, professor, and former deputy undersecretary of defense, Lewis brings a wealth of national security, scientific, and academic experience to the Institute for Defense and Government Advancement as chairman for the Hypersonic Weapons Summit, September 17 and 18 at the Bethesda Marriot in Maryland.

During this two-day event, senior representatives from major programs -- including the Air Force, Navy, Army, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, and the Missile Defense Agency, alongside perspectives from allied programs -- will provide a truly international outlook on hypersonic progress, challenges, and developments.

Before the summit, IDGA sat down with Dr. Lewis to discuss the status of hypersonics and what he looks forward to at this year’s event.

Ahead of the Hypersonic Weapons Summit, the 2024 Attendee List highlights the leading organizations within the industry and an extensive list of high-level attendees that will be attending this year.

The Hypersonic Weapons Summit will provide a platform for the DoD, academia, and industry to come together to learn, share knowledge and ideas, and collaborate on how to overcome common challenges.

Senior representatives from major programs including the US Air Force, Navy, Army, DARPA, and the Missile Defense Agency, alongside perspectives from Allied programs, will provide a truly international outlook on hypersonic progress, challenges, and developments.

IDGA’s Hypersonic Weapons Summit 2024 will explore next generation hypersonic weapons efforts across the military & enable advancements through industry partnerships. Take a look at who attended the 2023 event to get an idea of who you will meet on-site this year!

The development of hypersonic weapons has shaken the military world. Among American leadership, murmurs of a Sputnik moment grow louder. Near-peer adversaries threaten to outpace the United States. Yet, in the face of unprecedented adversity, our armed forces have risen to the challenge. In 2023, American hypersonic weapons were fielded for the first time in history - and we spoke to none other than Colonel Ian Humphrey, Project Manager for Long Range Hypersonic Weapon Integration in the Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office. In this exclusive interview, we uncover lessons learned, hard realities, and unparalleled opportunities in America's drive to modernize our strike capabilities for 21st-century conflict. 

Hypersonic technologies are becoming ever more critical as we prepare for a future where a near-peer conflict is becoming a real possibility. In this interview, Dr Mark J Lewis delivers a hard-hitting analysis of the state of hypersonics globally. He answers a range of questions, from their deployment of the War in Ukraine to responding to the uncertainty felt by Congress on the role the technology should play. Few experts can talk so freely and candidly on the topic making this piece a must-read for anyone interested in this evolving domain.

2023 will go down as an interesting year for hypersonics, not only because their development has continued to be funded by world powers; but also due to their first employment in combat operations in Ukraine by Russia. Their effectiveness and relevance continue to be a topic of conversation amongst the highest levels of military policy. In this piece, James Bosbotinis delves into the latest global developments relating to this technology in terms of offensive and defensive measures.

RUSI Senior Researcher Justin Bronk shares his views on Hypersonic use by the Russian Forces in Ukraine. His commentary:

• Puts the use of the technology into context beyond the immediate conflict,
• Gives insight onto how the Kinzhal works,
• Shares his thoughts on how the Kinzhal integrates into Russian doctrine thought,
  

Take a moment to review the Pentagon Hypersonic Weapons Overview which covers the type of weapon, Operating Systems, Status and configuration of the weapons in the Hypersonic portfolio

Source: U.S. Department of Defense   

The "Overview of Hypersonic Program Efforts Across The DoD" presentation was delivered at the 2023 Summit by Dr James Webber, Principal Director, Hypersonic Office, Office of The Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD (R&E)).

Dr Webber will join us again in September, where he will present "Advancements In Hypersonic Technology: A Strategic Overview" on Day 1.

The "Overview of Hypersonic Program Efforts Across The DoD" presentation was delivered at the 2023 Summit by Colonel Alexander Rasmussen, Chief, Tracking Layer, Space Development Agency, US Space Force and covers:

• The Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture
• Space Vehicles Acquisition Approach
• Delivering Capability at An Affordable Cost
• The Road to Tranche 0 Launch 1
• Maturing Technology – Advancing Capability

Colonel Alexander Rasmussen will return to the Hypersonic Weapons Summit in 2024 where he will deliver his presentation on “Advancing Space Capabilities for National Security”

The “Conventional Prompt Strike Update” presentation was delivered at the 2022 Hypersonic Weapons Summit by Captain Gregory Zettler, Program Manager, Conventional Prompt Strike, US Navy Strategic Systems Programs and covers:

• CPS Mission
• CPS Overview: Same Missile –All Platforms
• Developmental Flight Test Overview
• Transition to Industry
• Industrial Base
• Path to ZUMWALT
• Program Milestones

Captain Zettler will join us once again at the 2023 Hypersonic Weapons Summit where he will deliver his presentation about an “Update on Navy Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS)”

The "Hypersonic Weapons: The Way Forward" presentation was delivered at the 2022 Hypersonic Weapons Summit by Dr. Mark J. Lewis, Executive Director, NDIA Emerging Technologies Institute who delves into the following topics: 

• Results of Various Analyses 
• Where Should We Be Heading 
• U.S. Test Infrastructure 
• The Gold Standard 
• High Mach Vehicle Design Challenges 
• Significant Progress Made 
• Where Do We Go From Here