U.S. AIR FORCE PREPARING TO UNLEASH HYPERSONIC MAYHEM

[TruthSeeker]

THE U.S. AIR FORCE IS PREPARING TO UNLEASH HYPERSONIC MAYHEM​

CHRISTOPHER PLAIN·
AEROSPACEBREAKING NEWSDEFENSE
·DECEMBER 21, 2022
The Air Force Research Labs (AFRL) have selected a strategic partner to develop their hypersonic Mayhem surveillance drone. A leading defense contractor, Virginia-based Leidos, will use the $334 million awarded by the AFRL to design and develop a first in its class hypersonic drone to conduct long-range surveillance activities in the most dangerous parts of the world.
Part of the AFRL’s Expendable Hypersonic Multi-mission ISR (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance) and Strike program, Mayhem will fly higher and faster than any reconnaissance aircraft in history, including the famed A-12 Oxcart and SR-71 Blackbird piloted aircraft.

HYPERSONIC TECHNOLOGY CHANGING THE FACE OF WARFARE​

As recently as the 2010s, hypersonic planes, missiles, and drones were fanciful concepts facing numerous technological challenges on the road to viability. Since then, numerous advances in the technologies needed to support hypersonic combat systems have steadily matured to the point that most analysts think there will be numerous hypersonic weapons and surveillance platforms in use as soon as the end of this decade.
In December 2020, The Debrief reported on the Department of Defense awarding Battelle Memorial Institute nearly $50 million to “support the manufacture of thermal protection materials that can withstand extreme hypersonic environments,” including the extreme temperatures and friction aircraft traveling five times faster than the speed of sound must endure.
“The urgency to meet and exceed near-peer capabilities in hypersonic weapons systems has elevated the importance of solving the daunting scientific and engineering challenges that have made reliable flight at hypersonic (Mach 5+) speeds elusive,” Battelle said at the time.

In September of this year, The Debrief reported on the Air Force’s selection of the Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile (HACM), an air-breathing scramjet, to be delivered by Raytheon Missiles & Defense and its partners Northrop Grumman Corporation.
“With advanced threats emerging around the globe, the Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile will provide our warfighters a much-needed capability,” said Wes Kremer, president of Raytheon Missile & Defense at the time of the Air Force award.
Now, Leidos has entered the fray, as their hypersonic Mayhem drone could offer a surveillance capability not seen since the retirement of the SR-71 in 1998.

HYPERSONIC MAYHEM COULD FILL AIR FORCE SURVEILLANCE GAP​

Since the Air Force retired the SR-71, the military branch has suffered from a critical blind spot when it comes to long-range surveillance operations. Much of that has been patched over by a growing force of surveillance satellites, but they still face limitations associated with targeted surveillance activities.

As far back as the 1950’s such surveillance operations were flown by the infamous U2 spy plane until it was shot down over the Soviet Union in 1960. The CIA filled in some of those gaps with the A-12 Oxcart, which like its sister craft, the Blackbird, could travel faster than Mach 3 and over 85,000 feet in altitude. Still, those platforms were both piloted by humans, increasing the risk of another incident like the 1960 U2 shootdown.

A-12 “Archangel” (Image Source: Wikicommons)

If successful, the hypersonic Mayhem drone will finally close that surveillance gap. And along with the ability to fly significantly faster (at least Mach 5) and higher (exact altitude expectations have yet to be released, but most project over 100,000 feet in altitude) than the A-12 or the SR-71, Mayhem will be a drone, meaning no American will be put at risk flying over sensitive facilities or active battlefields.
“The team assembled by Leidos marries exceptional experience with innovation,” said Mayhem program manager Ryan Leo, in a press release announcing the Air Force award. “We’re working with the nation’s top solution providers in hypersonic vehicle and propulsion technologies.”

“We’re proud to contribute to this important national security mission,” Leo added.

THE FIRST PHASE OF MAYHEM WILL DELIVER PROTOTYPE-READY DESIGN PACKAGE​

The first of the awarded AFRL funds, $24 million in total, is allocated for System Requirements Review (SRR) and Conceptual Design Review (CoDR) in a Digital Engineering (DE) environment.

“To deliver the next generation of air-breathing hypersonic system, we’ll leverage our years of investment, knowledge, and success in the hypersonic field,” said Leidos’ Dynetics President Steve Cook. “Our team is prepared to undertake this vital mission for our nation.”
According to the press release, Leidos will focus on designing and developing a large-class version of the hypersonic Mayhem drone “that surpasses current air-breathing systems in range and payload capacity” by using digital engineering software and design tools “to help future development and transition.”
To accomplish their first round goals, Leidos will partner with leaders from both industry and academia, including Calspan, Draper, and Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. Serving as the System Design Agent (SDA), Leidos says this support team “will forge partnerships between the government, industry, and academia” with the express aim of delivering the cutting-edge research and development required to “design and prepare a production-ready technical data package to produce prototypes.”
The expected delivery of that data package is at the end of the 51-month program or sometime in 2027.

The U.S. Air Force is Preparing to Unleash Hypersonic Mayhem - The Debrief

The Air Force Research Labs (AFRL) have selected a strategic partner to develop their hypersonic Mayhem surveillance drone.

thedebrief.org

 

[khansaheeb]

Will it be a rocket with specialist cameras? Surely flying a rocket over some sovereign country will be an act of war?

 

[TruthSeeker]

Will it be a rocket with specialist cameras? Surely flying a rocket over some sovereign country will be an act of war?

"Act of war" is a nebulous term when there is no physical affect on the recipient of the act. A cyber attack could be considered by some an act of war. The taking of innocent tourists as hostages could be an act of war.

What is the difference between an overflight of a drone and an overflight of a satellite?

Who knows .....

 

[khansaheeb]

"Act of war" is a nebulous term when there is no physical affect on the recipient of the act. A cyber attack could be considered by some an act of war. The taking of innocent tourists as hostages could be an act of war.

What is the difference between an overflight of a drone and an overflight of a satellite?

Who knows .....

Typical law talk, White man talks with grey tongue.

 

[applesauce]

"Act of war" is a nebulous term when there is no physical affect on the recipient of the act. A cyber attack could be considered by some an act of war. The taking of innocent tourists as hostages could be an act of war.

What is the difference between an overflight of a drone and an overflight of a satellite?

Who knows .....

different countries define their air space limits differently. there is no agreed on international definition.

an unarmed drone flying 100,000 ft over probably is not a cause for war, however its still provocative and shoot downs may be attempted.

but hypersonics are the future, and the us isnt even ahead here.

Update – Airshow China 2022: New reusable hypersonic UAV displayed

China has unveiled a new, reusable, and near-space hypersonic technology demonstrator. The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has potential multimission applications.

www.janes.com

 

[Leishangthem]

America will rely on hollywood pr to seem dominant against china.

 

[TruthSeeker]

America will rely on hollywood pr to seem dominant against china.

Until there is a hot war between China and the USA no one will know if one dominates the other. In the meantime, hot wars may be prevented if both sides fear the dominance of the other. "Hollywood pr" is otherwise termed propaganda when practiced by governments. No one practices propaganda more than does the CCP.

 

[TheSolution]

Until there is a hot war between China and the USA no one will know if one dominates the other. In the meantime, hot wars may be prevented if both sides fear the dominance of the other. "Hollywood pr" is otherwise termed propaganda when practiced by governments. No one practices propaganda more than does the CCP.

Won't they know once the war comes to an end and the truth is revealed?

 

[Leishangthem]

Until there is a hot war between China and the USA no one will know if one dominates the other. In the meantime, hot wars may be prevented if both sides fear the dominance of the other. "Hollywood pr" is otherwise termed propaganda when practiced by governments. No one practices propaganda more than does the CCP.

This comment shows otherwise .

 

[R Wing]

Will it be a rocket with specialist cameras? Surely flying a rocket over some sovereign country will be an act of war?

And which country will actually go to war with the US or be able to retaliate in any meaningful way?

 

[RescueRanger]

And which country will actually go to war with the US or be able to retaliate in any meaningful way?

 

[SQ8]

This comment shows otherwise .

No it doesn’t - America just lets Michael Bay and social media handle its propaganda while China needs to get full state involvement and offical stamps on it.

 

[Leishangthem]

No it doesn’t - America just lets Michael Bay and social media handle its propaganda while China needs to get full state involvement and offical stamps on it.

Oh right the cia media and all their troll farm aren't backed by state funds .

 

[Horse_Rider]

THE U.S. AIR FORCE IS PREPARING TO UNLEASH HYPERSONIC MAYHEM​

CHRISTOPHER PLAIN·
AEROSPACEBREAKING NEWSDEFENSE
·DECEMBER 21, 2022
The Air Force Research Labs (AFRL) have selected a strategic partner to develop their hypersonic Mayhem surveillance drone. A leading defense contractor, Virginia-based Leidos, will use the $334 million awarded by the AFRL to design and develop a first in its class hypersonic drone to conduct long-range surveillance activities in the most dangerous parts of the world.
Part of the AFRL’s Expendable Hypersonic Multi-mission ISR (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance) and Strike program, Mayhem will fly higher and faster than any reconnaissance aircraft in history, including the famed A-12 Oxcart and SR-71 Blackbird piloted aircraft.

HYPERSONIC TECHNOLOGY CHANGING THE FACE OF WARFARE​

As recently as the 2010s, hypersonic planes, missiles, and drones were fanciful concepts facing numerous technological challenges on the road to viability. Since then, numerous advances in the technologies needed to support hypersonic combat systems have steadily matured to the point that most analysts think there will be numerous hypersonic weapons and surveillance platforms in use as soon as the end of this decade.
In December 2020, The Debrief reported on the Department of Defense awarding Battelle Memorial Institute nearly $50 million to “support the manufacture of thermal protection materials that can withstand extreme hypersonic environments,” including the extreme temperatures and friction aircraft traveling five times faster than the speed of sound must endure.
“The urgency to meet and exceed near-peer capabilities in hypersonic weapons systems has elevated the importance of solving the daunting scientific and engineering challenges that have made reliable flight at hypersonic (Mach 5+) speeds elusive,” Battelle said at the time.

In September of this year, The Debrief reported on the Air Force’s selection of the Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile (HACM), an air-breathing scramjet, to be delivered by Raytheon Missiles & Defense and its partners Northrop Grumman Corporation.
“With advanced threats emerging around the globe, the Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile will provide our warfighters a much-needed capability,” said Wes Kremer, president of Raytheon Missile & Defense at the time of the Air Force award.
Now, Leidos has entered the fray, as their hypersonic Mayhem drone could offer a surveillance capability not seen since the retirement of the SR-71 in 1998.

HYPERSONIC MAYHEM COULD FILL AIR FORCE SURVEILLANCE GAP​

Since the Air Force retired the SR-71, the military branch has suffered from a critical blind spot when it comes to long-range surveillance operations. Much of that has been patched over by a growing force of surveillance satellites, but they still face limitations associated with targeted surveillance activities.

As far back as the 1950’s such surveillance operations were flown by the infamous U2 spy plane until it was shot down over the Soviet Union in 1960. The CIA filled in some of those gaps with the A-12 Oxcart, which like its sister craft, the Blackbird, could travel faster than Mach 3 and over 85,000 feet in altitude. Still, those platforms were both piloted by humans, increasing the risk of another incident like the 1960 U2 shootdown.

A-12 “Archangel” (Image Source: Wikicommons)

If successful, the hypersonic Mayhem drone will finally close that surveillance gap. And along with the ability to fly significantly faster (at least Mach 5) and higher (exact altitude expectations have yet to be released, but most project over 100,000 feet in altitude) than the A-12 or the SR-71, Mayhem will be a drone, meaning no American will be put at risk flying over sensitive facilities or active battlefields.
“The team assembled by Leidos marries exceptional experience with innovation,” said Mayhem program manager Ryan Leo, in a press release announcing the Air Force award. “We’re working with the nation’s top solution providers in hypersonic vehicle and propulsion technologies.”

“We’re proud to contribute to this important national security mission,” Leo added.

THE FIRST PHASE OF MAYHEM WILL DELIVER PROTOTYPE-READY DESIGN PACKAGE​

The first of the awarded AFRL funds, $24 million in total, is allocated for System Requirements Review (SRR) and Conceptual Design Review (CoDR) in a Digital Engineering (DE) environment.

“To deliver the next generation of air-breathing hypersonic system, we’ll leverage our years of investment, knowledge, and success in the hypersonic field,” said Leidos’ Dynetics President Steve Cook. “Our team is prepared to undertake this vital mission for our nation.”
According to the press release, Leidos will focus on designing and developing a large-class version of the hypersonic Mayhem drone “that surpasses current air-breathing systems in range and payload capacity” by using digital engineering software and design tools “to help future development and transition.”
To accomplish their first round goals, Leidos will partner with leaders from both industry and academia, including Calspan, Draper, and Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. Serving as the System Design Agent (SDA), Leidos says this support team “will forge partnerships between the government, industry, and academia” with the express aim of delivering the cutting-edge research and development required to “design and prepare a production-ready technical data package to produce prototypes.”
The expected delivery of that data package is at the end of the 51-month program or sometime in 2027.

The U.S. Air Force is Preparing to Unleash Hypersonic Mayhem - The Debrief

The Air Force Research Labs (AFRL) have selected a strategic partner to develop their hypersonic Mayhem surveillance drone.

thedebrief.org

All future major wars will have Hypersonic elements, especially wars between the US / EU / Russia / China. These countries will utilize extensive Hypersonic assets for first strike and surprise attacks. The remainder of the traditional assets will be used to take the war to it's end through attrition.