Under the program, Kratos will apply decades of hypersonics expertise to analyze various missions and flight environments in order to define appropriate testing conditions. The company will establish standard test conditions and techniques designed to accelerate materials development and serve as a baseline for other similar aerothermal test facilities.
According to the company, the work will generate a robust set of hypersonic test setpoints to enable rapid evaluation and transition of various thermal protection system materials. The resulting methodologies are expected to support faster and more consistent testing across the hypersonic development community.
“The Kratos team is committed to advancing materials for hypersonics through testing and evaluation,” said Ben Dempsey, Kratos SRE Vice President of Programs. “Our focus is on accelerating the development of systems for our warfighter. This begins with increased throughput of our nation’s testing infrastructure, and by making investments in new infrastructure, like the recently awarded Project Helios.”
Kratos stated that the test methodologies developed under the program will serve as a model for the broader hypersonic testing community. In addition, the company will conduct a series of material test campaigns using these procedures to validate the methodology and mature material solutions for next-generation U.S. hypersonic vehicle technologies.
