Amentum (NYSE: AMTM) has been selected by Team Hypersonics UK, part of the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD), to provide missile design engineering and program management expertise to advance the United Kingdom’s hypersonic strike capability ambitions. The award, under the Industry Mission Partner (IMP) contract, aims to accelerate the development of advanced hypersonic weapons while strengthening collaboration with Australia and the United States under the AUKUS defence partnership.
The contract marks a significant step in the UK’s strategy to build sovereign hypersonic capabilities and enhance its defence readiness against evolving global threats. Hypersonic weapons, capable of traveling at speeds exceeding Mach 5, offer increased speed, maneuverability, and survivability compared to traditional missile systems.
Engineering, Design, and Testing Support
Under the IMP contract, Amentum will establish a Joint Programme Office and a System Engineering Delivery Advisory Team to support the detailed engineering design requirements of the MOD’s hypersonic weapon system demonstrator. The company will also evaluate options for flight testing and system validation, a critical phase in developing operational hypersonic systems.
Amentum’s role will include delivering comprehensive lifecycle support such as:
- Systems engineering and integration
- Mission planning and sensor platform integration
- Test design, planning, and execution
- Safety systems development
- Cost analysis and program management
The initial contract duration is 15 months, with an option to extend up to three additional years, depending on the program’s future phases and requirements.
Strengthening UK Defence and AUKUS Collaboration
The project is part of the UK’s broader defence strategy to accelerate advanced weapons development through collaboration with allies, particularly under the AUKUS agreement, which promotes joint innovation in defence technologies between the UK, US, and Australia.
Loren Jones, Senior Vice President at Amentum, said:
“We will bring extensive global defence expertise and deep understanding of hypersonic technologies to this vitally important program. Our engineering solutions and partnerships will drive innovation and strengthen collaboration across the defence supply chain.”
Rupert Pearce, National Armaments Director at the UK MOD, emphasized the strategic importance of the partnership, stating:
“This contract represents exactly the kind of innovative partnership approach required to deliver sovereign hypersonic capability. It strengthens our defence industrial base, accelerates weapon development, and supports highly skilled jobs across the UK.”
Collaborative Industry Approach
Amentum will work alongside subcontractors Ebeni Ltd and Synthetik Applied Technologies UK Ltd, combining expertise from large defence firms, SMEs, and academic partners to accelerate innovation and delivery.
The IMP model promotes a collaborative approach, breaking traditional barriers between defence organizations and industry to enable faster development and deployment of advanced military technologies.
Supporting Long-Term National Security Goals
Team Hypersonics UK was established to help the MOD field an operational hypersonic strike capability by the end of the decade. The program focuses on advancing weapon system design, developing critical subsystems, and accelerating innovation through its Hypersonic Technologies and Capability Development Framework.
Amentum, headquartered in Chantilly, Virginia, has a strong presence in the UK, providing engineering, logistics, and strategic advisory support across key defence programs, including the Royal Navy’s nuclear submarine fleet and other MOD initiatives.
This contract reinforces Amentum’s role as a key global defence technology partner and highlights the UK’s continued investment in next-generation military capabilities to strengthen national and allied security.
Leave a Reply