Hypersonics Supply Chains: Securing the Path to the Future

Abstract

Over the past few years, the United States Department of Defense (DoD) has undertaken an ambitious effort to develop and deploy hypersonic technology in support of a variety of national security missions. Hypersonic weapons are maneuverable, fly at least five times the speed of sound, or Mach 5, within the Earth’s atmosphere, and can deliver long-range lethal effects on short time scales. Despite this recent effort, the DoD has often wavered in its commitment to fielding hypersonic systems at scale. Some years, it has been a clear priority while other times, the commitment has been ambiguous. As such, the current supply chains, including the manufacturing base, supply of critical materials, testing infrastructure, and workforce are incapable of supporting DoD’s ambitious plans. To rectify critical hypersonics supply chains vulnerabilities, a holistic and coordinated approach among government, industry, and academia is essential. This integration will facilitate the cost-effective and reliable production of operational hypersonic systems. If action is taken now, the DoD’s hypersonics aspirations are within reach. The most important step the DoD can take to secure hypersonics supply chains for the future is to provide a consistent demand signal to industry.