Jeffrey LewisFALCON/Common Aero Vehicle Contract

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) awarded Lockheed Martin a $7.7 M increment of a $8.4 M prototypes agreement for Phase IIa of Task 2 (hypersonic technology vehicle) of the DARPA/Air Force FALCON program.

The hypersonic technology vehicle (a.k.a. hypersonic cruise vehicle) will demonstrate “far-term global reach technologies, such as high lift-to-drag aerodynamics, high-speed separation dynamics, reusable thermal protection system, leading-edge materials, and advanced propulsion…”

LockMart facilities in Palmdale, CA (41.5 %) and King of Prussia, PA (58.5 %) will complete the work by February 2005; $4.7 M must be spent by the end FY04. DARPA selected LockMart from among the four participants in phase I of the Falcon Task 2 program:

  • Andrews Space, Seattle, WA
  • Lockheed Martin, Palmdale, CA
  • Northrop Grumman, El Segundo, CA
  • Boeing, St. Louis, MO

The Phase I contract solicitation is available on GlobalSecurity.org website.