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🇹🇼 Taiwan /Conflict & Security

US Military Pursues Low-Cost Hypersonic Missile Production with AI and 3D Printing

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • The U.S. military is pursuing low-cost, high-volume production of hypersonic missiles using AI and 3D printing.
  • Defense startup Ursa Major is developing new rocket engines and manufacturing techniques to accelerate this process.
  • The goal is to rapidly replenish critical munitions and counter potential adversaries like China, with initial flight tests planned for 2027.

The United States is revolutionizing hypersonic missile production by focusing on low-cost, high-volume manufacturing, leveraging advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and 3D printing. This strategic shift aims to address the rapid depletion of precision munitions observed in recent conflicts and to counter the growing arsenal of hypersonic weapons possessed by potential adversaries.

Defense startup Ursa Major is at the forefront of this initiative, developing innovative rocket engines and manufacturing processes. Their "Havoc" hypersonic missile concept targets a unit cost of approximately $3 million, while maintaining speeds above Mach 5. A key component is the "Draper" liquid rocket engine, built using all-metal 3D printing. This engine offers advantages such as safe storage and the ability to adjust thrust, restart, and alter flight trajectories during missions, enhancing battlefield survivability.

Beyond engine technology, Ursa Major is employing AI combined with 3D printing to streamline the overall production pipeline. Their "Lynx" manufacturing technology allows for rapid adaptation of production lines to create various sizes of rocket motors and missile components within months, a significant improvement over the traditional multi-year manufacturing timelines for metal casings. This flexibility is crucial for quickly scaling up production.

Ursa Major plans to conduct the first boosted hypersonic flight test of the Havoc missile in 2027. CEO Chris Spagnoletti emphasized that the technology's objective extends beyond cost reduction; it aims to enable the U.S. defense industry to replenish critical ammunition more swiftly, preparing for future high-intensity conflicts. This push for rapid, scalable production is seen as vital for maintaining military readiness.

The goal is not just to reduce costs, but to enable the U.S. defense industry to replenish critical ammunition more quickly to meet future high-intensity conflict needs.

— Chris SpagnolettiUrsa Major CEO Chris Spagnoletti explained the broader objective of their new missile production technology.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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