US Air Force Expands Hypersonic Arsenal With Ursa Major Pick

The Air Force Research Laboratory has picked Colorado-based rocket propulsion company Ursa Major to help build and simulate hypersonic targets, filling a much-needed hole in the US arsenal.

The US is in an intense competition with China and Russia over development of hypersonic weapons: fast, low-flying, and highly maneuverable weapons designed to avoid traditional missile defense system detection. The term “hypersonic” describes any speed faster than five times that of sound, meaning these weapons can travel at least 3,800 miles per hour.

The Air Force’s eight-figure contract directs Ursa Major to build and test a prototype of its new Draper ...