The UK is stepping up its defense game with a bold new move to develop a cutting-edge hypersonic missile, thanks to a £1 billion framework agreement announced by the Ministry of Defence (MoD). This ambitious project, spearheaded by Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), aims to accelerate the country’s first homegrown hypersonic strike capability. It's not just about military might—it's also about tapping into local talent and innovation, as nearly half of the 90 organizations involved are UK-based small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs).
So, what makes this £1 billion initiative stand out? For starters, it covers eight key areas, from design integration to propulsion systems and lethal warhead packages, all geared towards making hypersonic technology a reality. The contracts, slated to be awarded over the next seven years, will be up for grabs in a competitive manner. That means bypassing the usual bureaucratic hurdles and keeping the focus on efficiency and effectiveness.
This development is more than just a national project—it's part of the UK's strategic shift towards advanced military technology, especially under the AUKUS alliance. As global adversaries ramp up their own hypersonic capabilities, the UK wants to ensure it doesn't fall behind. Paul Wilson, the star player leading Team Hypersonics in the UK, couldn't have said it better: the world is changing, and military tech needs to keep up. Meanwhile, Defence Procurement Minister James Cartlidge chimed in, dubbing hypersonics a 'landmark capability' that demands urgent investment.
The framework is designed to evolve continuously, thanks to a smart 'spiral development' approach that progresses through Technical Readiness Levels (TRLs) 1 to 9. This approach allows for steady progress from initial concepts to fully operational systems. Plus, the framework will periodically open its doors every six to twelve months to welcome fresh innovations—a move that can only mean more opportunities for bright minds in the defense sector. Interested parties can keep an eye out for these openings on the MoD’s Defence Sourcing Portal.
This move is part of broader efforts to boost UK defense spending, setting a target to reach 2.5% of the nation's GDP by 2030. With an additional £75 billion on the horizon over six years, it looks like the UK's commitment to staying at the cutting edge of defense technology is as serious as it gets.