Mach 5+ speed: New hypersonic ‘clay pigeon’ target to be built under AUKUS Pillar 2

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the United Kingdom will be tasked with taking a part in building a hypersonic target vehicle for the country’s defense needs. The UK government has announced a new $26 million (£20 million) contract to help develop the hypersonic ‘clay pigeon’ vehicle. The vehicle is intended to represent threats capable of traveling at five times the speed of sound. The contract has been awarded to Lockheed Martin UK, and it will see almost 15 UK-based SMEs benefiting through the supply chain. The contract comes as the government unveiled a new Defense SME Action Plan, which aims to open up opportunities for small businesses across the defense supply chain. The new action plan also intends to remove entry barriers for UK SMEs and open up defense supply chains. On the other hand, the government will also benefit from a domestic supply chain and innovation from small players. The hypersonic ‘clay pigeon’ target will help new defense systems to counter advanced missiles. It is part of a trilateral partnership between Australia, the UK, and the United States. The hypersonic vehicle will be made under Project Bowline. The outcome of it will be a hypersonic target – which will serve as an advanced ‘clay pigeon’ for the air defense systems.The hypersonic target will help the agencies test the various sensors and interceptors that are part of air defense systems. “This will help the UK test counter-hypersonic missile capabilities, ensuring that the Armed Forces lead on producing and countering the most advanced threats,” according to a press release by the UK government. The project is part of international collaboration under AUKUS Pillar 2, the trilateral partnership between Australia, the UK, and the United States to develop advanced military capabilities, including hypersonic and counter-hypersonic technologies. “Delivering Project Bowline will help ensure the UK stays ahead of rapidly evolving hypersonic threats,” said National Armaments Director Rupert Pearce. “By working with our AUKUS partners and investing in advanced missile technology in the UK, we strengthen our national arsenal, boost a key sector in our economy, and support our ability to deliver effective missile defense.” What is AUKUS Pillar 2? AUKUS Pillar 1 was a trilateral initiative to provide Australia with a conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarine fleet. It involved Australian personnel working alongside US and UK submarine crews and shipyards. It also involved the rotational presence of US and UK nuclear-powered submarines in Australian territory, and Australia eventually getting three Virginia-class vessels from the U.S. Moreover, there was a plan to deliver a trilaterally developed AUKUS submarine – which would be built in the UK and Australia. AUKUS Pillar 2 is an advancement in the sense that, rather than focusing on nuclear submarines, it has been extended to eight defense technologies. The technologies include hypersonic and counter-hypersonic weapons, quantum technologies, electronic warfare, artificial intelligence, and more. Earlier this year, the three countries announced the first AUKUS Pillar II signature project. It will focus on developing cutting-edge payloads and enabling systems for uncrewed undersea vehicles (UUVs), with delivery starting in 2027.Recommended ArticlesGet the latest in engineering, tech, space & science - delivered daily to your inbox.Abhishek brings a wealth of experience in covering diverse stories across different beats. Having contributed to renowned wire agencies and Indian media outlets like ANI and NDTV, he is keenly interested in Tech, Business and Defense coverage.