Guiding Hypersonic Development to Operationalize Capabilities for US National Security Goals 

Welcome to the 5th Annual Hypersonic Weapons Summit. Hypersonic weapons development in the US has seen significant growth over the past decade, and the US continues to keep pace with near-peer nations and rapidly develop significant capabilities. In recent years, the United States commitment to significant investment in hypersonic capabilities has continued, including notable programs such as Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile (HACM), Army Long Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW), and Navy Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS). 

The recent Congressional budget allocations have shown a massive interest in pursuing the development and near-term deployment of hypersonic systems. With $4.7 billion being awarded to Hypersonics in FY2023 and further funds in FY 2024 echo a clear dedication to the future of active and future programs. Likewise, the US has begun testing counter hypersonic capabilities and has continued to explore options on how to best respond to potential use of hypersonic weapons by potential near-peer adversaries.

As major programs undergo successful tests, the path to hypersonic deployment seems closer than ever for the United States. However, there are many technological and operational decisions to be made before fielding operational weapons. Meeting the pace at which the services wants to test and field a hypersonic offensive capability will be a challenge, but doing so is critical to the National Defense Strategy of the United States Military. Our conference provides an opportunity for stakeholders from across the the DoD, academia and industry to get together for two days of networking, information sharing, thought leadership and problem solving to better achieve the goals of the US in hypersonics. There will be senior representatives from across the major programs run by the US Air Force, US Navy, US Army, DARPA and the Missile Defense Agency, among others. We will also host perspectives from Allied programs to provide a truly international perspective, allowing for a comprehensive update on the progress, challenges and developments in the Hypersonic space.