Amentum chosen to enhance UK hypersonic strike capabilities

Amentum has been chosen to advance the UK’s pursuit of hypersonic strike capabilities by offering missile design engineering and program management expertise. This significant contract, known as the Industry Mission Partner (IMP) agreement, was granted by Team Hypersonics UK under the Ministry of Defence. The primary goal of this partnership is to enhance weapon development, establish sovereign capability, and foster collaboration among the UK, Australia, and the United States as part of the AUKUS agreement.

To facilitate this critical initiative, Amentum will establish a Joint Programme Office and a System Engineering Delivery Advisory Team. These teams will focus on developing detailed engineering design requirements for the MOD’s hypersonic weapon system demonstrator and exploring potential options for flight testing. The IMP contract encompasses a duration of 15 months, with the possibility of a three-year extension for subsequent phases.

Within the framework of the IMP contract, Amentum will provide comprehensive project lifecycle solutions, including systems engineering, mission planning, sensor platform integration, test design, planning and execution, safety systems, and cost analysis. This comprehensive approach aims to drive innovation and collaboration across the supply chain to support the UK’s national security strategy effectively.

Highlighting the importance of this partnership, Loren Jones, Senior Vice President and Head of Amentum’s Energy & Environment-International business, expressed confidence in Amentum’s ability to leverage global defense expertise and advanced hypersonic technologies to deliver on this critical program. The MOD’s National Armaments Director, Rupert Pearce, emphasized the significance of collaborative efforts across defense, industry, SMEs, and academia to swiftly achieve sovereign capabilities while nurturing the defense industrial base in the UK.

Collaborating with Amentum on this endeavor are subcontractors Ebeni Ltd and Synthetik Applied Technologies UK Ltd. Together, they will work towards achieving the UK’s hypersonic ambitions and strengthening its defense capabilities.

Amentum, as a global leader in advanced engineering and technology solutions, plays an essential role in supporting the UK’s defense operations. The company provides strategic advisory and technology solutions for the Royal Navy’s nuclear submarines, program management, and engineering support for AWE. Amentum’s expertise spans procurement, logistics, and systems integration solutions across the entire UK Ministry of Defence.

Moreover, Team Hypersonics UK is dedicated to realizing the MOD’s objective of deploying a Hypersonic Strike Capability by the end of the decade. This program aims to advance weapon development through a technology push approach, refining weapon system design and sub-system technologies within the Hypersonic Technologies and Capability Development Framework.

In conclusion, the IMP contract with Amentum signifies a crucial step towards advancing the UK’s hypersonic capabilities and enhancing its defense industrial base. By fostering collaboration and innovation, this partnership aligns with the UK’s strategic defense goals and national security priorities, marking a significant milestone in the country’s pursuit of hypersonic strike capabilities.