US, UK and Australia Sign Hypersonic Weapons Deal
21 November 2024
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Raytheon concept for an air-breathing hypersonic cruise missile (image: Raytheon)
Accelerated delivery of AUKUS Pillar II Hypersonic Systems
Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States have reached a milestone agreement to accelerate the testing of hypersonic vehicles and related technologies.
Under AUKUS Pillar II, the Hypersonic Flight Test and Experimentation (HyFliTE) Project Arrangement (PA) will enable the three nations to accelerate development, testing and evaluation of innovative hypersonic systems.
HyFliTE represents new heights of collaboration amongst AUKUS partners through shared testing facilities and pooling our deep collective technical expertise.
This development follows the AUKUS Defence Ministers' Meeting on 26 September where it was announced that the three nations were increasing their collective ability to develop and deliver offensive and defensive hypersonic technologies under Pillar II.
Hypersonic weapons are long-range strike missiles that can travel five times the speed of sound. They could be launched from the land, sea, or air.
The PA will incorporate existing national efforts, including multiple test flights across all nations, giving the AUKUS effort on hypersonics a strong boost.
These flight tests will accelerate the development of hypersonic concepts and critical enabling technologies.
Development of hypersonic technology is a key Defence priority, identified in the 2024 National Defence Strategy. It is a capability that can hold time critical and heavily defended targets at risk from increased ranges, enhancing the survivability of the Australian Defence Force against potential threats.
“This agreement will accelerate Australia’s sovereign ability to develop and deliver offensive and defensive hypersonic technologies – through a robust testing and experimentation campaign under AUKUS Pillar II,” Chief Defence Scientist, Professor Tanya Monro AC, said.
“HyFliTE will leverage our collective expertise and innovation enterprises to deliver hypersonic capabilities at pace.”
Australia remains committed to its domestic and international legal obligations as it pursues hypersonic technologies.
(Aus DoD)
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