Propelling Hypersonic Innovation Forward
The Multi-Service Advanced Capability Hypersonics Test Bed (MACH-TB) involved the government seeking proof of concept and prototype demonstration of modular Experimental Glide Body (EGB) testing hypersonic technologies/experimental payloads in operational trajectories using already available boosters.
The Challenge
The United States has an urgent need to rapidly prototype and test hypersonic technology in order to compete with adversaries. Hypersonic capabilities are crucial for maintaining technical dominance in defense, especially as the hypersonic race intensifies.
The Solution
The program aims to design and test an experimental glide body to bolster various Department of Defense (DoD) initiatives related to hypersonic technology.
The solution and end state goal are to prototype a modular EGB that can accelerate technology and subsystem development and testing, design a modular software/hardware/interface test bed architecture, and leverage existing booster systems to enable the EGB to replicate operational or modified hypersonic trajectories.
Michael Maxwell from SpinLaunch speaks on his experience as a small start-up company new to the OTA space.
SpinLaunch successfully networked and partnered with Dynetics, becoming a performer on the MACH-TB project through the S²MARTS OTA.
Hypersonics Stories
May 15, 2022
Hypersonics research and development is happening right here in southern Indiana. More than 300 Hoosiers—engineers and scientists—are working non-stop at Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division to increase U.S. hypersonic capability.
August 5, 2021
As emerging technologies enter the market, it’s imperative to stay up to date on the latest trends the Department of Defense is focused on. Currently making waves across the defense innovation space: hypersonics. So what is a hypersonic weapon?
Our proven fail-fast model brings critical prototypes to market at the speed of mission.
Traditionally, new technologies must wait for full scale hypersonic weapon system demonstration flight tests to demonstrate an operational Technology Readiness Level (TRL). However, the very few currently planned weapon system flight tests are very expensive, complex, and require long term planning, all of which drive a very low risk tolerance for “new” technologies. This traditional approach is inhibiting the rapid testing and transitioning of hypersonic technology improvements needed to remain responsive to the threat.
The result is a growing backlog of capability improvements with very limited options to demonstrate technology or integration readiness. Exacerbating this problem is the fact ground testing capabilities can only provide limited ability to simulate flight transient environments on subscale components. The gap between Ground Test and Evaluation (T&E) and Weapon System Flight Tests and the growing backlog of capabilities form a hypersonic “valley of death” for new technologies. A new approach is needed.
