Hypersonic tech capabilities of the future accelerated under new Aukus arrangement

The development of hypersonic technology is to be accelerated under a new Aukus arrangement – bolstering the collective security of the three partner nations, the UK, the US and Australia, with battle-winning capabilities of the future.

The MOD has said that joint work will enable the "faster development, testing, and evaluation of hypersonic vehicles and technologies, representing a new level of collaboration between Aukus partners".

Hypersonic capabilities can include long-range strike missiles capable of travelling faster than the speed of sound and can be launched from land, sea, or air.

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The UK, US and Australia will look to take advantage of collective resources, shared testing facilities and pooled technical expertise.

This latest development is aimed at ensuring each nation has the capabilities needed to defend against rapidly evolving threats, with the three partners signing the Hypersonic Flight Test and Experimentation (HyFliTE) Project Arrangement.

The flight tests planned under HyFliTE will provide experimentation to accelerate the development of hypersonic concepts and critical enabling technologies. 

Defence Secretary John Healey said: "This landmark arrangement with our US and Australian partners demonstrates the commitment of AUKUS partners to staying at the forefront of battle-winning defence technology.   

"By combining our expertise and resources with those of our closest allies, we are accelerating the development of crucial hypersonic capabilities.  

"This work will keep us ahead of our adversaries on the battlefield, enhance our collective security and contribute to maintaining peace and stability in an increasingly complex and dangerous world."   

The Aukus defence and security partnership also facilitates deeper collaboration across the three countries' industrial bases and breaks down acquisition system barriers.