AUKUS trio to fast-track development of hypersonic technologies under new ‘landmark’ deal

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), along with the Australian Department of Defence and the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence (MOD), have signed an agreement to enhance testing of hypersonic vehicles and accelerate the implementation of related technologies.

Under AUKUS Pillar II, the three nations, which signed the AUKUS pact in September 2021, have entered the Hypersonic Flight Test and Experimentation (HyFliTE) Project Arrangement (PA) to use each other’s testing facilities and share technical information to develop, test, and evaluate hypersonic systems.

AUKUS partnership involves two lines of effort referred to as pillars. Pillar 1 focuses on Australia acquiring nuclear-powered attack submarines and the rotational basing of US and UK nuclear-powered attack submarines in Australia. The Australian Government has selected BAE Systems and ASC to build Australia’s new fleet of nuclear-powered submarines. Australia expects the delivery its first SSN-AUKUS submarine in the early 2040s.

On the other hand, Pillar 2 entails the collaborative development of advanced capabilities in six technological areas: undersea capabilities, quantum technologies, artificial intelligence and autonomy, advanced cyber, hypersonic and counter-hypersonic capabilities, and electronic warfare; and in two broader functional areas: innovation and information sharing.

Recently, the partners completed tests of several autonomous and networked systems during a three-week maritime experimentation called Autonomous Warrior 24 in Australia. 

HyFliTE will enable the three nations to benefit from the collective knowledge of the partners. The new agreement also supports integrated deterrence, as well as trilateral requirements for the development and delivery of hypersonic weapon systems, according to the officials.

This collaboration will accelerate the development, testing, and evaluation of “innovative” hypersonic vehicles and technologies, marking a significant step forward in the partnership between AUKUS nations. It will also open up a range of procurement opportunities for UK suppliers.

Hypersonic capabilities include long-range strike missiles that can travel at speeds far exceeding the speed of sound. These advanced systems can be launched from land, sea, or air, providing strategic advantages in defense.

By working together trilaterally, the AUKUS partners will be able fast-track the development of these technologies.

Furthermore, the UK, US, and Australia will benefit from shared resources, testing facilities, and pooled technical expertise, accelerating progress in hypersonic technology. Existing national efforts will be also incorporated, including multiple test flights of hypersonic vehicles that can be used in a range of activities. 

“We are increasing our collective ability to develop and deliver offensive and defensive hypersonic technologies through a robust series of trilateral tests and experiments that will accelerate the development of hypersonic concepts and critical enabling technologies,” said Heidi Shyu, Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering.

“Collaborative efforts are accelerating the development of underpinning enabling technologies, such as high temperature materials, advanced propulsion systems, and guidance and control,” she added.

The HTCDF, which was established to source industry support, is said to provide an accelerated approach to the market. It includes over 90 suppliers from across the AUKUS nations and European allies, with a commercial capacity of up to £1 billion.