Massive Contract Awarded to Develop Advanced US Hypersonic Technology Testbed

The U.S. Defense Department has awarded Kratos a $1.45 billion contract to develop a cutting-edge hypersonic technology testbed, signaling a major leap in America’s race to catch up with China and Russia in advanced weapons capabilities.

At a Glance

Kratos secures a $1.45 billion contract for MACH-TB 2.0 hypersonic testbed development.
The project aims to increase frequency and reduce costs of hypersonic flight tests.
The initiative is designed to counter advancements by China and Russia in hypersonic weapons.
There will be collaboration with partners like Leidos and Rocket Lab for systems engineering and testing.
The contract is the largest in Kratos’ history, spanning five years.

Pentagon’s Push for Hypersonic Superiority

The U.S. Department of Defense has taken a significant step forward in its pursuit of hypersonic weapon capabilities by awarding Kratos a substantial $1.45 billion contract. This five-year Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreement, the largest in Kratos’ history, focuses on developing the MACH-TB 2.0 hypersonic technology testbed. The initiative comes as the Pentagon works to close the gap with Russia and China, who have reportedly made considerable advancements in this critical area of defense technology.

The MACH-TB 2.0 program is designed to bridge the gap between hypersonic ground tests and full-scale system-level flight tests. By doing so, it aims to minimize development risks and accelerate the delivery of these advanced technologies to the warfighter. The testbed will support flying platforms capable of assessing hypersonic subsystems at speeds surpassing Mach 5, a crucial benchmark in hypersonic technology.

$KTOS SECURES $1.45B MACH-TB 2.0 CONTRACT

Kratos Defense has been awarded a 5-year OTA contract for the Multi-Service Advanced Capability Hypersonic Test Bed (MACH-TB) 2.0, supporting the U.S. National Hypersonic Initiative.

— Wall St Engine (@wallstengine) January 6, 2025

Kratos’ Role and Collaborations

Under Task Area 1 of the contract, Kratos is responsible for systems engineering, integration, and testing. This includes work on subscale and full-scale systems, as well as air launch services. The company has assembled a team of partners, including Leidos, Rocket Lab, and Koda Technologies, to bring their expertise to this complex project.

“Kratos is honored to receive the largest contract award in our company’s history, a testament of the value Kratos’ employees and team bring both to our Company and United States National Security,” Kratos CEO Eric DeMarco stated.

Kratos has already demonstrated its capabilities in hypersonic systems with successes like the Erinyes Hypersonic Flyer and Zeus Solid Rocket Motors. The company’s expertise in developing affordable, mission-critical solutions positions it well to meet the evolving needs of modern warfare and address the pressing national requirement for accelerated, cost-effective hypersonic flight testing.

Challenges and Criticisms

Despite the ambitious nature of the MACH-TB program, it has not been without its critics. The U.S. Government Accountability Office has raised concerns about a lack of transparency in the Department of Defense’s hypersonic weapons programs. Additionally, the GAO has pointed out that while progress has been made, the U.S. has yet to field its first operational hypersonic weapon system.

“Years of effort and billions of dollars spent on hypersonic weapon development have yielded considerable progress, but DoD has yet to field its first operational hypersonic weapon system. Yet even fielding these first prototypes will not ensure an effective or affordable capability,” the GAO reported in 2024.

However, recent successful tests of a joint Army-Navy hypersonic missile indicate that the U.S. is making strides toward achieving parity with rival nations. The Air Force is also advancing its hypersonic projects, signaling an acceleration in U.S. hypersonic arms development. These developments, coupled with the MACH-TB 2.0 program, suggest that the United States is committed to closing the perceived capability gap in hypersonic weapons technology.