Booster tech for hypersonics focus of DARPA's OpFires Phase 3
NewsMarch 06, 2020
WASHINGTON. Phase 3 of DARPA’s Operational Fires (OpFires) program began in earnest this month with government and contractor staff finalizing the system architecture approach, including a plan to use existing components from ground-launched missile systems, along with new booster technologies designed to support future hypersonic weapons.
Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control is leading the integration effort for the third phase of the program, which will focus on first stage booster design and maturation, launcher development, and vehicle integration.
DARPA’s Phase 3 news comes on the heels of learning the Army will no longer provide funding for OpFires integration work. However, DARPA will continue pressing forward with Phase 3 activities to further advance the program goals of affordability and mobility for U.S. and Allied forward forces.
Next steps for the OpFires program include a series of full-scale static motor firings, as well as further subsystem tests designed to evaluate component design and system compatibility, culminating in integrated end-to-end flight tests.
