The Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) this week launched a new competitive round for solutions to increase the rate of flight testing of hypersonic technologies.
The Multi-Service Advanced Capability Hypersonic Test Bed (MACH-TB) 2.0 request for solutions was released by the National Security Technology Accelerator (NXTL), which is managing the Other Transaction Agreement for NSWC Crane Division.
The initial award was made in September 2022 to Leidos’ [LDOS] Dynetics unit, which in June 2023 successfully launched the first suborbital testbed vehicle aboard a Rocket Lab [RKLB] launch vehicle. That award covers five flights. NXTL said that MACH-TB 2.0 will transition the program design and concept demonstrations to a full flight-test capability to meet the needs of the Defense Department and other stakeholders.
The Dynetics-led team includes Stratolaunch, which provides the Talon-A reusable hypersonic test aircraft that can reach speeds above Mach 5.
A contract award is expected in fiscal year 2025. NSWC Crane will host an industry day on April 23 and 24.