U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Huntsville) and Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Admiral Mike Gilday on Thursday visited Dynetics and Lockheed Martin’s North Alabama facilities, where they received updates on the defense industry behemoths’ hypersonics development efforts.
Foreign adversaries of the United States are increasingly incorporating hypersonics technology, which holds the capability of traveling five times faster than the speed of sound, into their respected offensive military arsenals.
The Department of Defense (DOD) has tapped both Dynetics and Lockheed Martin to develop critical hypersonics capabilities, both of which are utilizing their Tennessee Valley-based operations to conduct work relating to the technology.
In an attempt to ensure the United States stands ready to defend the homeland against such threats, congressional lawmakers recently formed the House Hypersonics Caucus which Brooks co-chairs alongside U.S. Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN).
Upon receiving updates from the defense industry giants, Gilday touched on the importance of the United States’ ability to gain a competitive edge over its geo-political foes in the realm of hypersonics.
“In order to maintain a warfighting advantage against the increasingly aggressive modernization efforts of our primary challengers, it is imperative to accelerate the development and fielding of hypersonic capabilities,” stated Gilday. “Our partnerships with the Army and industry are paramount as we transition hypersonics from developmental to operational systems at speed and scale that will meet the needs of our Sailors, Soldiers and the nation.”
According to a release, the U.S. Navy and Army are collaborating to expand hypersonic capabilities through the use of a common glide body, common missile design and joint test opportunities. The Navy advised that the military’s goal is to field hypersonic weapon systems in the mid or latter portion of the current decade.
Gilday added, “Hypersonic systems provide a combination of speed, maneuverability and altitude that enables highly survivable, long-range, rapid defeat of time-critical, heavily-defended and high value targets. Delivering hypersonic weapons continues to be one of the Navy’s highest priorities, which the Navigation Plan makes clear.”
Brooks expressed gratitude to Gilday for visiting his district’s defense industry.
“I appreciate Adm. Mike Gilday for taking the time to visit Courtland and Huntsville as part of the Navy and Army’s collaboration with industry, government national laboratories, and academia to field hypersonic warfighting capability,” said Brooks.
The North Alabama congressman outlined his efforts in Congress to prioritize investment in hypersonics technology.
“As the Co-Chair of the newly formed House Hypersonics Caucus, I’m doing all I can to help my Congressional colleagues understand that hypersonic systems are absolutely vital to America’s missile defenses and should be an urgent priority,” added Brooks. “China and Russia are diligently strengthening their hypersonics capabilities and America must keep pace.”
Dylan Smith is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL
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