RTX secures $73 million contract to advance Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile

Raytheon Co., based in Tucson, Arizona, has secured a $73 million contract aimed at advancing the development and production of the Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile (HACM). Under this contract, all work is expected to be completed by the end of September 2028.

This initiative is part of a collaborative effort between the US and Australia under the SCIFiRE program (Southern Cross Integrated Flight Research Experiment), with Raytheon responsible for developing and demonstrating prototypes of the HACM, which is designed for deployment on aircraft like the F-15 fighter jet, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

The HACM, led by Raytheon Missiles & Defense, represents a significant advancement in missile technology. It is engineered to travel at hypersonic speeds—over five times the speed of sound—making it difficult for current air defence systems to detect and intercept. Utilizing a scramjet engine, the HACM takes advantage of air during flight, greatly enhancing its range and speed while allowing for agile maneuvers against heavily fortified targets.

The HACM's development is part of the SCIFiRE initiative, which aims to accelerate hypersonic technology through the combined expertise of the U.S. and Australia, focusing on creating missile prototypes suitable for the F-15EX.

This missile can be launched from smaller aircraft, providing military leaders with tactical flexibility while reserving larger bombers for more strategic missions. Its ability to strike high-value targets from a distance is vital in modern combat scenarios where adversaries employ anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) strategies.

The collaboration under the SCIFiRE project allows both nations to share valuable insights and utilize Australia’s missile testing infrastructure. The goal is to have the HACM fully operational by 2028, driven by the need to counter advancements in hypersonic technology by Russia and China.

HACM is part of the US' broader initiative to lead in hypersonic weaponry. Unlike other American systems, such as the AGM-183 ARRW, which uses a boost-glide approach, HACM's air-breathing technology offers enhanced range and sustained speed for various tactical operations.

As hypersonic capabilities develop, HACM is poised to significantly influence the future of warfare, enabling rapid, precise strikes against critical enemy targets while evading advanced air defence systems. This could redefine US military strategy and bolster its position as a dominant global military power.

The rise of hypersonic technologies like HACM not only presents opportunities but also challenges, prompting a reassessment of military tactics, operational planning, and international relations. The speed of these weapons necessitates improvements in air and missile defence systems and careful consideration to avoid escalation due to misinterpretation of actions between nations.