The UK, US, and Australia have agreed to fast-track the development of hypersonic technology under a new AUKUS arrangement, aiming to bolster collective security and deliver advanced battle-winning capabilities, according to a press release.
This collaboration will facilitate the quicker development, testing, and evaluation of hypersonic vehicles and associated technologies, marking a deeper level of cooperation among AUKUS nations. The initiative also promises economic benefits, safeguarding and creating high-skilled jobs in the UK through procurement opportunities across a broad range of suppliers.
Hypersonic systems, capable of travelling at speeds far exceeding the speed of sound, include long-range strike missiles that can be launched from land, sea, or air. By working together, the AUKUS partners aim to pool resources, share testing facilities, and leverage technical expertise to accelerate the deployment of these cutting-edge systems.
UK Defence Secretary John Healey emphasised the significance of the arrangement:
“This landmark arrangement with our US and Australian partners demonstrates the commitment of AUKUS partners to staying at the forefront of battle-winning defence technology. By combining our expertise and resources with those of our closest allies, we are accelerating the development of crucial hypersonic capabilities. This work will keep us ahead of our adversaries on the battlefield, enhance our collective security, and contribute to maintaining peace and stability in an increasingly complex and dangerous world.”
The agreement includes the Hypersonic Flight Test and Experimentation (HyFliTE) Project Arrangement, which will incorporate existing national efforts, including multiple test flights of hypersonic vehicles. These tests aim to advance hypersonic concepts and critical enabling technologies through robust experimentation.
Additionally, the AUKUS defence partnership is streamlining collaboration across the three countries’ industrial bases, breaking down barriers in acquisition systems, and strengthening supply chain resilience.
The Hypersonic Technologies and Capability Development Framework (HTCDF), used to source industry support, further exemplifies the initiative’s scope. It includes over 90 suppliers from AUKUS nations and European allies, with a commercial headroom of up to £1 billion.
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