DoD Hyper-AMPD! Prize Challenge Awards $1 Million for Concepts Enabling Rapid Delivery of Hypersonic Prototypes
The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) recently awarded $1 million in prizes to three teams through the Hyper-Affordable Manufacturing for Precision Defense (Hyper-AMPD!) Prize Challenge. This challenge sought innovative concepts to rapidly and affordably produce hypersonic prototypes, a key technology for future defense systems.
The challenge was hosted by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and the Joint Hypersonics Transition Office (JHTO) and was divided into two tracks:
- Track A: Scalable, Modular, and Reconfigurable Manufacturing Systems: This track focused on concepts for flexible and adaptable manufacturing systems that could quickly produce a variety of hypersonic prototypes.
- Track B: Advanced Manufacturing Technologies for Complex Hypersonic Components: This track sought concepts for innovative manufacturing technologies to produce complex hypersonic components with high precision and quality.
Three teams were awarded prizes for their outstanding concepts:
- Track A:
- 1st Place ($500,000): Raytheon Technologies, Inc. for their concept of a modular and reconfigurable manufacturing system using 3D printing and automated assembly.
- 2nd Place ($250,000): University of Texas at Austin for their concept of a flexible manufacturing system based on additive manufacturing and artificial intelligence.
- Track B:
- 1st Place ($250,000): Lockheed Martin Space for their concept of using laser-based additive manufacturing to produce complex hypersonic components with high precision.
The winning concepts will be further developed and tested by the teams, with the potential for integration into future hypersonic prototype production.
The Hyper-AMPD! Prize Challenge is part of the DoD’s efforts to accelerate the development and production of hypersonic weapons. Hypersonic weapons are capable of flying at speeds five times the speed of sound and are expected to play a significant role in future conflicts. By developing affordable and rapid manufacturing methods, the DoD aims to reduce the cost and increase the availability of these advanced weapons systems.
“This prize challenge has demonstrated the ingenuity and innovation of our industry partners,” said Dr. Stephen Walker, AFRL Technical Director. “The winning concepts have the potential to revolutionize the way we manufacture hypersonic prototypes, enabling us to rapidly deliver these critical technologies to the warfighter.”
The DoD plans to continue investing in hypersonic technologies and manufacturing capabilities to maintain its technological edge in future warfare.
The AI has provided us with the news.
I’ve asked Google Gemini the following question, and here’s its response.
Defense.gov a new article on 2024-11-14 20:31 titled “DoD Hyper-AMPD! Prize Challenge Awards $1 Million for Concepts Enabling Rapid Delivery of Hypersonic Prototypes”. Please write a detailed article on this news item, including any relevant information. Answers should be in English.
40