Hypersonic weapons development has surged in the past decade. According to Deloitte, the hypersonics industry is expected to grow to $5 billion in 2025. In the US programs like Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile (HACM), Army Long Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW), and Navy Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) show a significant investment in hypersonics. Similarly, both allies and near peer adversaries are engrained in programs of their own. In 2023, IDGA published a Hypersonic Systems report written by Dr. James Bosbotinis, a UK-based defense and international affairs analyst. The report was aimed at detailing key developments in select countries hypersonic investments. The following is an updated version of that report, with a look at the most recent data for each industry..

While the pace of research and development in the hypersonics industry remains steady, the Center for National Security Initiatives at the University of Colorado, Boulder is taking steps to ensure the optimization of hypersonic systems thanks to their work with multi-disciplinary high-fidelity models.

Dr. Iain Boyd is the director of the center, and according to Dr. Boyd, high fidelity means putting in a lot of effort to create a super detailed model that gets as close to reality as possible. It's like the difference between using a rough sketch to design a car versus a super detailed blueprint that shows every nut and bolt. In hypersonics this level of detail ensures hypersonic vehicles have optimum performance, which is critical when these vehicles fly at extreme speeds and experience intense heat.

The growth of the U.S. hypersonic industry has accelerated in the past decade as significant investments continue, notably in programs like Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile, Army Long Range Hypersonic Weapon, and Navy Conventional Prompt Strike. While successful testing has brought hypersonic deployment closer for the United States, technological and operational challenges still exist in the space.

Dr. Mark Lewis, president and CEO of the Purdue Applied Research Institute (PARI), is well-versed in these challenges and the potential impact of hypersonics for the Defense Department. A renowned researcher, professor, and former deputy undersecretary of defense, Lewis brings a wealth of national security, scientific, and academic experience to the Institute for Defense and Government Advancement as chairman for the Summit in 2024.

The 2024 Attendee List highlights the leading organizations within the industry and an extensive list of high-level attendees that will be attending this year.

The Hypersonic Weapons Summit will provided a platform for the DoD, academia, and industry to come together to learn, share knowledge and ideas, and collaborate on how to overcome common challenges.

Senior representatives from major programs including the US Air Force, Navy, Army, DARPA, and the Missile Defense Agency, alongside perspectives from Allied programs, provided a truly international outlook on hypersonic progress, challenges, and developments.

The development of hypersonic weapons has shaken the military world. Among American leadership, murmurs of a Sputnik moment grow louder. Near-peer adversaries threaten to outpace the United States. Yet, in the face of unprecedented adversity, our armed forces have risen to the challenge. In 2023, American hypersonic weapons were fielded for the first time in history - and we spoke to Colonel Ian Humphrey, Project Manager for Long Range Hypersonic Weapon Integration in the Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office. In this exclusive interview, we uncover lessons learned, hard realities, and unparalleled opportunities in America's drive to modernize our strike capabilities for 21st-century conflict. 

Hypersonic technologies are becoming ever more critical as we prepare for a future where a near-peer conflict is becoming a real possibility. In this interview, Dr Mark J Lewis delivers a hard-hitting analysis of the state of hypersonics globally. He answers a range of questions, from their deployment of the War in Ukraine to responding to the uncertainty felt by Congress on the role the technology should play. Few experts can talk so freely and candidly on the topic making this piece a must-read for anyone interested in this evolving domain.

RUSI Senior Researcher Justin Bronk shares his views on Hypersonic use by the Russian Forces in Ukraine. His commentary:

• Puts the use of the technology into context beyond the immediate conflict,
• Gives insight onto how the Kinzhal works,
• Shares his thoughts on how the Kinzhal integrates into Russian doctrine thought,
  

The "Overview of Hypersonic Program Efforts Across The DoD" presentation was delivered at the 2023 Summit by Dr James Webber, Principal Director, Hypersonic Office, Office of The Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD (R&E)).

The "Overview of Hypersonic Program Efforts Across The DoD" presentation was delivered at the 2023 Summit by Colonel Alexander Rasmussen, Chief, Tracking Layer, Space Development Agency, US Space Force and covers:

• The Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture
• Space Vehicles Acquisition Approach
• Delivering Capability at An Affordable Cost
• The Road to Tranche 0 Launch 1
• Maturing Technology – Advancing Capability

The “Conventional Prompt Strike Update” presentation was delivered at the 2022 Hypersonic Weapons Summit by Captain Gregory Zettler, Program Manager, Conventional Prompt Strike, US Navy Strategic Systems Programs and covers:

• CPS Mission
• CPS Overview: Same Missile –All Platforms
• Developmental Flight Test Overview
• Transition to Industry
• Industrial Base
• Path to ZUMWALT
• Program Milestones

The "Hypersonic Weapons: The Way Forward" presentation was delivered at the 2022 Hypersonic Weapons Summit by Dr. Mark J. Lewis, Executive Director, NDIA Emerging Technologies Institute who delves into the following topics: 

• Results of Various Analyses 
• Where Should We Be Heading 
• U.S. Test Infrastructure 
• The Gold Standard 
• High Mach Vehicle Design Challenges 
• Significant Progress Made 
• Where Do We Go From Here