The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has awarded Lockheed Martin further $58.9 million for work on the integrated OpFires system.
The latest contract modification is for risk reduction testing to achieve a system-level critical design maturity. This phase is expected to be completed by January 2022.
Lockheed Martin is leading the development of hypersonic technologies for DARPA’s Operational Fires (OpFires) program, which seeks to develop and demonstrate an innovative ground-launched system to enable a hypersonic boost glide missile system to penetrate modern enemy air defenses and engage time-sensitive targets.
The design is expected to complete the critical design review (CDR) in late 2021, with integrated flight testing slated for 2022.
Envisioned as an intermediate-range surface-to-surface missile, OpFires is expected to be capable of delivering a variety of payloads at a variety of ranges. Additionally, the system is to be compatible with mobile ground launch platforms enabling integration with existing ground forces and infrastructure.
Lockheed is working with Northrop Grumman, Dynetics, and Electronic Concepts & Engineering (ECE) on delivering the system.
