Leidos has signed a $334 million contract to help the US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) develop an air-breathing hypersonic system. The Expendable Hypersonic Multi-mission ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) and Strike program, known as Mayhem, will cover a 51-month period. The initial order is $24 million to conduct a System Requirements Review (SRR) and Concept Design Review (CoDR) in a Digital Engineering (DE) environment.

“We will leverage our years of investment, knowledge and success in the hypersonic industry to develop the next generation of air-breathing hypersonics,” said Steve Cook, President of Leidos Dynetics. Our team is ready to undertake this vital task for our country.”

The Mayhem system will use a scramjet jet engine to generate thrust that propels the vehicle over long distances at speeds in excess of Mach 5. Leidos is tasked with designing and developing a large-class version that outperforms existing air breathing systems in terms of range and payload, using digital engineering to ensure the design effort supports future development and migration.

Leidos has assembled a team of industry and academia leaders, including Calspan, Draper, and Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc., to serve as the Systems Design Representative (SDA). SDA establishes partnerships between government, industry and academia to carry out the advanced research and development needed to design and prepare a production-ready technical data package for prototype production. Leidos will also lead model-based systems engineering (MBSE) and programming to help Mayhem move from idea to operating system.

“The team that Leidos has brought together combines exceptional experience with innovation,” said Ryan Leo, Mayhem Program Manager. “We work with leading national solution providers in hypersonic vehicles and propulsion technologies. We are proud to contribute to this important national security mission.” Source