Hypersonic Conventional-Cruise Weapon [HCCW]
Southern Cross Integrated Flight Research Experiment (SCIFiRE)
The new Southern Cross Integrated Flight Research Experiment (SCIFiRE) weapon will be a Mach 5-class precision strike missile that is propulsion-launched and powered by an air-breathing scramjet engine. It will be capable of being carried by tactical fighter aircraft such as the F/A-18F Super Hornet, EA-18G Growler and F-35A Lightning II, as well as the P-8A Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft. The SCIFiRE effort aims to cooperatively advance air-breathing hypersonic technologies into full-size prototypes that are affordable and provide a flexible, long range capability, culminating in flight demonstrations in operationally relevant conditions.
The Long Range Systems Division (AFLCMC/EBJ) solicited proposals from and award contracts to limited sources for the subject effort to develop a solid-rocket boosted, air-breathing, hypersonic conventional cruise missile, air-launched from existing fighter/bomber aircraft. The contracts will call for an initial effort to Systems Requirement Review, with an option for a follow-on effort that leads to a successful Preliminary Design Review, all within the approximate fifteen (15) month period of performance. It is anticipated that the base contracts, with options, will be awarded in the 1QFY21.
This effort was awarded using other than full and open competition to Boeing Company (Phantom Works), Lockheed Martin Corporation (Advanced Development Programs), and Raytheon Company (Raytheon Missiles and Defense) under the authority of 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1), as implemented by FAR 6.302-1 - Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements. Boeing Company (Phantom Works), Lockheed Martin Corporation (Advanced Development Programs), and Raytheon Company (Raytheon Missiles and Defense) are the only firms that possess the necessary capability within the Air Force's time frame without causing an unacceptable delay in meeting the needs of the warfighter.
Australia and the United States signed a collaborative agreement 30 November 2020 to develop and test hypersonic cruise missile prototypes under the Southern Cross Integrated Flight Research Experiment (SCIFiRE). The SCIFiRE Program is based on more than 15 years of collaboration between Australia and the United States on science and technology research into hypersonic scramjets, rocket motors, sensors, and advanced manufacturing materials. The effort will also pursue potential co-production opportunities between the two countries, and leverages U.S. and Australian collaborative hypersonic activities over the last 15 years, namely the Hypersonic International Flight Research Experimentation (HIFiRE) program. SCIFiRE continues collaborative research efforts involving the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, the Royal Australian Air Force Headquarters, and the Australian Defence Science and Technology Group.
Michael Kratsios, Acting Under Secretary for Research and Engineering, US Department of Defense, welcomed the new collaboration. “SCIFiRE is a true testament to the enduring friendship and strong partnership between the United States and Australia,” said Mr Kratsios. “This initiative will be essential to the future of hypersonic research and development, ensuring the US and our allies lead the world in the advancement of this transformational warfighting capability.... We thank the Australian Department of Defence for their shared commitment to this game-changing effort.”
Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC said maintaining Australia’s technological edge and capability superiority is key to this Government’s strategic planning. “I am pleased to see this agreement come to fruition following my discussions with then Secretary Esper during my visit to the United States in July this year,” Minister Reynolds said. “At AUSMIN, we acknowledged the unique role of our defence partnership to maintain our competitive edge, and affirmed the value of bilateral collaboration on hypersonics. The Morrison Government remains committed to keeping Australians safe, while protecting the nation’s interests in a rapidly changing global environment. That’s why we will continue to invest in advanced capabilities to give the ADF more options to deter aggression against Australia’s interests including the $9.3 billion earmarked in the Force Structure Plan 2020 for high-speed long-range strike and missile defence, including hypersonic development, test and evaluation. This is part of our unprecedented $270 billion investment in defence capability over the next decade which is creating jobs right across Australia while delivering vital capability for the ADF. "
"The SCIFiRE initiative is another opportunity to advance the capabilities in our Air Combat Capability Program to support joint force effects to advance Australia’s security and prosperity,” Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld AO, DSC, Chief of Air Force said. “Working with our Defence scientists here in Australia and our partners in the U.S. Air Force and across the U.S. Department of Defense on leading edge capabilities brings out the best in our Air Force team. We are maximising our learning during development to better define the capabilities and needs as the system matures, and we are gaining insights as we go that will help us integrate it into the future Joint Force.”
The Southern Cross Integrated Flight Research Experiment (SCIFiRE) is an Allied Prototyping Initiative (API) under the Directorate for Advanced Capabilities within the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering. The Department of the Air Force, under the direction of the Weapons Program Executive Officer, is responsible for the execution of the program. “SCIFiRE is a true testament to the enduring friendship and strong partnership between the United States and Australia,” said Michael Kratsios, Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering. “This initiative will be essential to the future of hypersonic research and development, ensuring the U.S. and our allies lead the world in the advancement of this transformational warfighting capability.”
In May 2020 the Department of Defense, United States Air Force (USAF), Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC), Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), Armament Directorate, began conducting market research under Solicitation: FA8682-20-R-0008 seeking capabilities statements from potential sources, including small businesses (SB), 8(a), HUBZone, Economically Disadvantaged Woman-Owned (EDWOSB), Woman-Owned (WOSB), Service Disabled Veteran Owned (SDVOSB) small businesses for an effort involving systems integration of a Weapon Open System Architecture (WOSA)-based, solid-rocket boosted, air-breathing, hypersonic conventional cruise missile, air-launched from existing fighter/bomber aircraft into a preliminary design. The effort involves the use of Digital Engineering (DE) and Model-Based Engineering (MBE) practices for requirements, design, trade studies, and analyses; as well as the use of DE/MBE to accomplish technical planning for qualification, component/subsystem testing, manufacturing, and sustainment of the air-breathing hypersonic cruise missile under representative operational conditions. In order for a vendor to be deemed qualified, its capability statement must demonstrate its capability in the following: sustained air-breathing hypersonic propulsion (ramjet, scramjet, or dual-mode), stable hypersonic aerodynamics, aero-thermal protection systems, solid rocket motors, warhead/missile integration, advanced hypersonic guidance, navigation, and control including advanced subsystem technologies and communications, and fighter/bomber weapon integration. This weapon system must be designed and analyzed to achieve a Preliminary Design Review (PDR) in 4QFY21.
Department of the Air Force, Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC), Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC)/EBJK, 205 West D Avenue, Bldg 350, Eglin AFB, FL 32542 issued a Notice of Contract Action (NOCA) 07 August 2020. The Long Range Systems Division (AFLCMC/EBJ) intended to solicit proposals from and award contracts to limited sources for the subject effort to develop a solid-rocket boosted, air-breathing, hypersonic conventional cruise missile, air-launched from existing fighter/bomber aircraft. The contracts will call for an initial effort to Systems Requirement Review, with an option for a follow-on effort that leads to a successful Preliminary Design Review, all within the approximate fifteen (15) month period of performance. It is anticipated that the base contracts, with options, will be awarded in the 1QFY21. This effort will be awarded using other than full and open competition to Boeing Company (Phantom Works), Lockheed Martin Corporation (Advanced Development Programs), and Raytheon Company (Raytheon Missiles and Defense) under the authority of 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1), as implemented by FAR 6.302-1 - Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements.� Boeing Company (Phantom Works), Lockheed Martin Corporation (Advanced Development Programs), and Raytheon Company (Raytheon Missiles and Defense) are the only firms that possess the necessary capability within the Air Force's time frame without causing an unacceptable delay in meeting the needs of the warfighter.
Boeing Co., St. Louis, Missouri, on 01 September 2021 was awarded a $39,660,399 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification (P00002) to previously awarded contract FA8682-21-C-0008 for Southern Cross Integrated Flight Research Experiment (SCIFiRE) Project Phase I Preliminary Design Review. The contract modification is an option exercise to mature a solid-rocket boosted, air-breathing, hypersonic conventional cruise missile, air-launched from existing fighter/bomber aircraft, through the completion of a preliminary design review. The location of performance is St. Louis, Missouri. The work is expected to be completed by Aug. 31, 2022. Fiscal 2020 and 2021 research and development funds in the amount of $1,521,862 and $8,750,000, respectively, are being obligated at the time of award. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $47,153,068. Future Hypersonics, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity.
Raytheon Missiles & Defense, Tucson, Arizona, on 03 September 2021 was awarded a $27,991,408 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification (P00002) to previously awarded contract FA8682-21-C-0010 for the Southern Cross Integrated Flight Research Experiment (SCIFiRE) Project Phase I preliminary design review (PDR). The modification is an option exercise to mature a solid rocket-boosted, air-breathing, hypersonic conventional cruise missile, air-launched from existing fighter/bomber aircraft, through the completion of a (PDR). The location of performance is Tucson, Arizona, and work is expected to be completed by Sept. 2, 2022. This modification does not involve Foreign Military Sales. Fiscal 2020 and 2021 research and development funds in the amount of $1,521,861 and $8,750,000, respectively, are being obligated at the time of award. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $33,698,870. Future Hypersonics, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity.
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