The U.S. Hypersonics Program Matures

In the last few weeks, Aviation Week editors Steve Trimble and Guy Norris have learned new information about several U.S. hypersonic weapons efforts. Listen in as they tell executive editor Jen DiMascio about the developments, which include the revelation that the Air Force is studying intercontinental-range hypersonics that could be nuclear-armed and confirmation of the creation of a multi-mission platform with a multi-cycle engine that could be the path toward a SR-72 intelligence-gathering vehicle. Beyond those potential future programs, they discuss the construction of a new Dynetics facility in Huntsville, Alabama, likely to be the first U.S. factory that will be able to produce hundreds—perhaps even thousands—of hypersonic glide vehicles in the coming years.