Hypersonic Accelerated Manufactured Prototype Demonstration (Hyper-AMPD!)
Seeking novel concepts for low-cost, high-production, accelerated development hypersonics!
The JHTO is seeking innovative ideas to rapidly deliver a low-cost hypersonic capability. Hyper-AMPD! is looking for solutions from new and non-traditional creators, as well as established partners.
Purpose
The Joint Hypersonics Transition Office (JHTO) is seeking innovative ideas and solutions to enable the rapid delivery of hypersonic test and weapon prototypes for national defense and operational utility. The principal goal of the Hyper-AMPD! Challenge is to seek out novel ideas for the rapid development and flight testing of hypersonic prototypes that can rapidly transition to integrate with existing Department of Defense (DOD) platforms. Timely delivery of prototypes is an essential element of this effort, as is an established path to affordably manufacturing the prototype at scale. Maximum design trade space and implementation will be exercised and only those approaches with sufficient military utility will be invited to submit a Feasibility Study.
Hyper-AMPD! is looking for ideas from not just the traditional defense industrial base members, but also university applied research centers (UARCs); federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs); venture capitalists; other federal laboratories; companies or groups who have not done business with the government before; entrepreneurs; small businesses; talented individuals with the expertise and experience to bring a product online; and anyone else with unique solutions to this Challenge. Teaming across organizations is encouraged and multiple concepts may be submitted by the same participant(s) and/or team(s).
The following needs should be considered when creating and proposing a solution:
· Approaches that enable an achievable Mach 4+ high-speed/hypersonic system performance using only mature (technology and manufacturing readiness levels of TRL6+ and MRL7+) materials, components, and subsystems;
· Production rates and costs equivalent to traditional systems (while these production rates are not intended to be supported by this call, the study, prototype development, and testing is intended to prove the feasibility of this production rate); and
· Plans to implement accelerated development, defined as 24 months from design to first flight demo.
Submissions should include estimates on achievable system performance (i.e., addressable target types, ranges, speeds, trajectories, etc.) as well as envisioned key subsystem details (i.e. guidance, navigation, and control; propulsion methods, payload details, etc.). While maximal use of off-the-shelf components is expected in order to meet the aggressive schedule, cost, and manufacturing rate targets, a cost Pareto front of each subsystem’s relative contribution to overall system is also requested in order to identify potential areas for government investment, or less desirably, performance concession.
Background
Hypersonic strike systems are emerging weapon systems that provide key capabilities in multiple conflict scenarios and have the potential to revolutionize warfare by providing a standoff capability to strike distant time critical targets. Hypersonic missiles can travel at extreme speeds, covering large distances in minutes instead of hours, and can maneuver within the atmosphere, which presents challenges to existing missile defense systems. This rapid response time and maneuverability provides the military with the ability to respond quickly to emerging threats. However, the development of hypersonic missiles presents technical challenges associated with design, testing, and production.
Challenge
Brian McCue argued in his book, U-Boats in the Bay of Biscay, that
“…the introduction and assimilation of new hardware proceeded so slowly that an inherently defeatable device could have a useful career while the other side spent time realizing that the device had been deployed, arguing about what it was, and introducing a counterdevice."
McCue’s observation still applies today-- the competitor that can rapidly field a sufficiently capable innovation can gain at least a temporary advantage over their fellow competitors and impose cost upon them as they seek to understand the nature and implication of a new disruption on the battlefield.
JHTO seeks innovative plans for hypersonic solutions that can be quickly developed and flown as military prototypes with clear transition paths as deployed weapons that can be built cheaply and rapidly deployed at scale. A key element of any potential solution is the military utility and flexibility that it can offer Combatant Commanders and their staffs. All solutions will be evaluated in part for the military utility that they can provide.
Challenge Chat- A Virtual Q&A
Join us for a virtual webinar with JHTO leadership to learn more about the organization, the prize challenge, and answers to previously submitted questions. Participants are encouraged to submit questions in advance using the registration form or the Contact tab. To register, please visit: Hyper-AMPD Challenge Chat (theari.us)
Phase 1: Open until 1/17/2023
Entry details:
Entries for Phase I must be submitted by 5:00PM ET on January 17, 2024. Submissions received after the deadline may not be considered.
To submit, please e-mail JHTO_AMPD@us.navy.mil. E-mails must state a classification level preference and provide contact information for a response.
For CUI submissions, a link to DoD SAFE will be generated and sent to the provided contact.
For SIPR or higher classifications, contact information will be provided for submissions to be e-mailed.
Submissions shall reference both the challenge name and participant name in the subject line in the following format:
JHTO Hyper-AMPD Participant_Name Phase I White Paper Submission
Phase I Submission of White Paper Concept
The White Paper shall not exceed five (5) pages and is required to be in the following format:
Text size shall be no smaller than what is equivalent to Microsoft Word, Times New Roman, 10 point, uncompressed font.
Pages shall be single sided, one and one half line spaced, with a minimum of one inch margins on all sides.
Pages shall be dated and numbered sequentially.
Legible tables, charts, graphs, and figures shall be used when necessary to depict organizations, data, drawings, systems, layouts, implementation schedules, plans, etc. For tables, charts, graphs, and figures, the text shall be no smaller than 8 point, Times New Roman. These items WILL be included in the page count.
Electronic files shall be formatted for Microsoft Windows Office 2010. Text shall be prepared using Microsoft Word compatible formats including, but not limited to, spreadsheets, worksheets, or workbooks shall be prepared using Microsoft Excel 2010 compatible formats, and documents prepared using Microsoft Word 2010 compatible formats. All scheduled shall be prepared in Microsoft Project 2010 Compatible applications.
A glossary shall be included of all abbreviations and acronyms used with an explanation for each that will NOT be included in the page count.
A cover sheet should be included with the following information:
Challenge Title
Name(s) of company(ies) and POC individual(s)
Address(es)
If a company, CAGE or DUNS Code
Point of contact telephone and e-mail address
State if the participant is a US Company (an entity incorporated in and maintaining a primary place of business in the US) or a US citizen
If applicable, provide verification that the individual currently maintains a DOD security clearance or the company has a Facilities Clearance (per DOD 35220.22-M, 28 Feb 2006)
A description of the participant’s previous experience and expertise with JHTO
A description of the participant’s experience in collaborating with other companies to design, manufacture, and field relevant products.
The cover sheet will NOT be included in the page count for each submission.
