Global aerospace giant Boeing has taken on a pivotal role in advancing the United States’ defense capabilities against hypersonic threats. The company announced its participation in the Glide Breaker program, spearheaded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), aiming to develop cutting-edge technology for hypersonic interceptors.
Over the course of four (04) years, Boeing will undertake a multifaceted approach to develop and test technologies for a hypersonic interceptor prototype. This endeavor will encompass computational fluid dynamics analysis, wind tunnel testing, and extensive evaluation of aerodynamic jet interactions during flight tests.
“Hypersonic vehicles are among the most dangerous and rapidly evolving threats facing national security. We’re focusing on the technological understanding needed to further develop our nation’s counter-hypersonic capabilities and defend against future threats,” according to Gil Griffin, Executive Director of Boeing Phantom Works Advanced Weapons.
The Glide Breaker program seeks to inform the design and development of future hypersonic interceptors capable of neutralizing threats traveling at least five (05) times the speed of sound during the “glide phase” of their flight. Boeing’s leadership in the development and testing phases will provide the crucial groundwork for operational glide-phase interceptors that can effectively defend against these sophisticated and evolving hypersonic threats.
“This phase of the Glide Breaker program will determine how factors like hypersonic airflow and firing jet thrusters to guide the vehicle affect system performance at extreme speed and altitude in a representative digital environment. We’re operating on the cutting edge of what’s possible in terms of intercepting an extremely fast object in an incredibly dynamic environment,” Griffin added.
The aerospace company is responsible for developing, manufacturing, and servicing commercial airplanes, defense products, and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. As a top U.S. exporter, Boeing leverages its global supplier base to advance economic opportunities, sustainability, and community impact. The company’s diverse team is committed to innovating for the future, prioritizing sustainability, and fostering a culture rooted in core values of safety, quality, and integrity.
Boeing’s active participation in the Glide Breaker program underscores the critical importance of developing advanced technology to safeguard national security against hypersonic threats and reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to pioneering innovation in aerospace and defense.