Wanted: hypersonic missile with standardized payload interface able to carry out several kinds of missions
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB, Ohio – U.S. Air Force researchers are kicking off a shadowy project to develop a large air-breathing missile able to carry out several different kinds of missions with a standardized payload interface.
Officials of the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, issued a broad agency announcement on Monday (FA8650-17-S-2002_Call_003) for the Expendable Hypersonic Multi-Mission ISR and Strike (Mayhem) program.
This potential $334 million project seeks to provide a significant technological advancement and future capability, with a standardized payload interface that would create several different opportunities for payload integration within the same hypersonic system.
It is expected that Mayhem payloads will involve delivering kinetic or explosive weapons, or intelligence and reconnaissance sensor payloads at hypersonic speeds. Hypersonic typically refers to objects traveling faster than Mach 5, or 3,836 miles per hour.
Few additional technical details of the Mayhem project are openly available. Companies interested in bidding should email the Air Force's Megan Rosenbeck at [email protected], and Joseph Cook [email protected] no later than 15 March 2022 to request a Mayhem Proposal Requirements Package.
Companies interested should submit proposals no later than 24 May 2022. Send unclassified proposals on CDs by mail or by courier to Joseph Cook or Megan Rosenbeck at AFRL/RQHP Building 45, RM 90 2130 8th St. Wright-Patterson AFB OH 45433. Air Force researchers say they expect to award a contract by 5 Dec. 2022.
More information is online at https://sam.gov/opp/4d1797ce5cd04eb4a9f7e77756031d81/view.
John Keller | Editor-in-Chief
John Keller is the Editor-in-Chief, Military & Aerospace Electronics Magazine--provides extensive coverage and analysis of enabling electronics and optoelectronic technologies in military, space and commercial aviation applications. John has been a member of the Military & Aerospace Electronics staff since 1989 and chief editor since 1995.
