Tag Archives: hypersonic missile

The Missile Defense Agency and industry representatives held a meeting at MDA’s Alabama headquarters to discuss potential ways of targeting hypersonic missiles and lay the groundwork for the Hypersonic Defense Regional Glide Phase Weapon System, Breaking Defense reported Wednesday.

Defense experts said the weapons systems showcased for the first time during the National Day parade in Beijing Tuesday demonstrate China’s increasing focus on the development of unmanned systems, missile force and electronic warfare, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Derek Tournear, acting director of the Space Development Agency, said SDA plans to issue before the end of this year broad area announcements to ask potential vendors to compete for technology demonstrations in support of the agency’s plan to develop “layers” of satellites, SpaceNews reported Wednesday.

The U.S. Army plans to award two contracts for the development of a launching system and a glide body for its hypersonic missile in the coming weeks, Defense News reported Wednesday. Lt. Gen. L. Neil Thurgood, director of the service’s Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office, said the first contract will require the awardee to design and integrate a vertical launcher onto a trailer. 

David Norquist, the White House’s nominee for deputy defense secretary and 2019 Wash100 Award winner, said he wants the Department of Defense to advance its use of artificial intelligence, data analytics and other emerging technologies to implement the 2018 National Defense Strategy, Defense News reported Wednesday. Norquist, who serves as DoD comptroller, told the Senate Armed Services Committee during his confirmation hearing Wednesday about the potential benefits of AI. 

Acting Defense Secretary and 2019 Wash100 Award winner Patrick Shanahan officially unveiled the new space development agency, CNN reported Wednesday. Fred Kennedy, director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s tactical technology office, will lead the agency as part of the proposed space force, according to a copy of Shanahan’s memo obtained by the publication.

Defense Secretary Ashton Carter has said the Defense Department needs to innovate in order to be competitive amid the five global challenges the U.S. currently faces, DoD News reported Tuesday. Cheryl Pellerin writes Carter said at a Commonwealth Club event in San Francisco Tuesday that terrorism, Russia, North Korea, China and …