Lockheed Martin to deliver America’s first sea-based hypersonic strike capability

Lockheed Martin is teaming up with the US Navy to integrate hypersonic strike capabilities into surface vessels under an initial contract worth $1.1 billion to provide America’s first hypersonic strike capability on the sea.

The contract is valued at over $2 billion in the event that all options are taken into consideration. It will involve the integration of the Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) weapon system onto ZUMWAL-class guided destructive missiles (DDGs).

Conventional Prompt Strike, which is a hypersonic boost-glide weapon, allows for the launch of long-range missile flight at speeds that are higher than Mach 5 and with excellent resistance to enemies’ defenses.

Lockheed Martin to deliver America’s first sea-based hypersonic strike capability. Image courtesy of Lockheed Martin.

In the contract, Lockheed Martin as the principal contractor will supply launcher systems, weapon control, All Up Rounds (AURs) that are components of the missile that are integrated. The American aerospace company will also be responsible for platform integration services for the naval platform.

Lockheed Martin, in conjunction with its industrial partners, which include subcontractors General Dynamics Mission Systems and Northrop Grumman has plans to deliver the CPS surface-launched sea-based hypersonic strike capabilities to mariners by mid-2020s.

The contract also allows for further All Up Rounds as well as canisters for the US Army‘s Long Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) testing, training, and tactical use.

Steve Layne — Lockheed Martin vice president of Hypersonic Strike Weapon Systems said: “Lockheed Martin continues to advance hypersonic strike capability for the United States through this new contract.

“Early design work is already underway. Our team looks forward to supporting the warfighter by providing more options to further protect America at sea.”