Lockheed Martin Conducts Second Successful Hypersonic Missile Test

Lockheed Martin, Conducts Second Successful, Hypersonic Missile Test.

Space.com reports that Lockheed Martin has had a second successful test of its prototype hypersonic missile.

.

Space.com reports that Lockheed Martin has had a second successful test of its prototype hypersonic missile.

.

The missile reportedly flew at five times the speed of sound "for an extended period" of time.

.

The test was announced on April 5 by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).

It was the second test of the Hypersonic Air-breathing Weapon Concept (HAWC) program.

.

In September 2021, Raytheon Technologies ran the first test on the experimental weapons system.

.

We are still analyzing flight test data, but are confident that we will provide the U.S. Air Force and Navy with excellent options to diversify the technology available for their future missions, Andrew Knoedler, DARPA's HAWC program manager, via Space.com.

We are still analyzing flight test data, but are confident that we will provide the U.S. Air Force and Navy with excellent options to diversify the technology available for their future missions, Andrew Knoedler, DARPA's HAWC program manager, via Space.com.

According to a press release from Lockheed, the missile reached an altitude of 65,000 feet, twice the cruising altitude of commercial aircraft.

.

Space.com reports that DARPA and the U.S. Air Force are jointly funding the HAWC program.

According to DefenseNews.com, Raytheon, Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin have all received funding for the project.

.

According to DefenseNews.com, Raytheon, Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin have all received funding for the project.

.

The experimental program is aimed at assessing the feasibility, effectiveness and affordability of hypersonic weapon systems.