As US Department of Defense priorities pivot from counterinsurgency operations to contentions with other nation-states, Dynetics Technical Solutions (DTS) has rapidly developed new systems for the US Army and Navy to answer the threats posed by America’s adversaries.

Of particular concern has been the development and deployment of hypersonic ballistics weapons.

Hypersonic ballistic missiles travel at five times the speed of sound, around a mile a second. They also have the capability of maneuvering mid-flight. The speed and maneuverability of these missiles make them near-impossible to intercept with conventional missile defense systems.

Dynetics IFPC Enduring Artist Rendering Russia has used its Kinzhal hypersonic missile weapons systems in its invasion of Ukraine, demonstrating its capabilities in real combat conditions.

Additionally, soldiers operating in today’s conflict zones will need to contend with the use of drones.

Dynetics has developed systems to counter such threats posed by Great Power states, detailing them in a virtual media roundtable hosted March 31. The three project managers for the High Energy Laser, Enduring Shield, and Long Range Hypersonic Weapon projects were on-call to elaborate on the weapons’ capabilities.

The Indirect Fire Protection Capability-High Energy Laser is a directed energy weapon designed to destroy airborne threats, ranging from conventional aircraft and unmanned drones to missiles and rockets. Dynetics’ solution mounts a powerful 300-kilowatt high-energy laser onto a mobile platform. This grants the system the flexibility to protect mobile or semi-fixed military assets out on the field.

Directed energy weapons, such as the High-Energy Laser, possess many unique advantages relative to conventional weapons. Shots fired from the laser are relatively inexpensive, with a generous battery capacity providing many shots. The most important advantage of the High-Energy Laser, however, is that lasers travel at the speed of light. As fast and nimble as hypersonic missiles and small unmanned aircraft may be, light is still faster.

The IFPC-HEL system will be demonstrated later this year, with the project expected to reach combat capacity by 2024.

Dynetics has also produced a more conventional missile defense system as its Enduring Shield. The Enduring Shield system mounts interception missiles fitted with infrared seekers onto mobile platforms.

Enduring Shield is designed to fully integrate with the Army’s existing Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System. Enduring Shield platforms are also hardened against cyberwarfare tactics. Dynetics is set to deliver four units in 2022 and twelve units by the end of 2023.

Dynetics has also tackled the task of closing the gap in hypersonic missile capabilities between the United States and its adversaries.

The Common Hypersonic Glide Body (C-HGB) uses a booster rocket motor to accelerate to well-above hypersonic speeds and then jettisons the expended rocket booster.

Dynetics will produce glide body assemblies for use by the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, and the Missile Defense Agency, with an option for additional quantities. Dynetics is collaborating with Sandia National Laboratories for development and production of the glide body.

The C-HGB is a component of the Long Range Hypersonic Weapon program, the overall completed missile battery design. Lockheed-Martin chose Dynetics to be part of the LHRW Integration Contract to develop the launchers, hydraulics, outriggers, power generation, and distribution for the ground platform of the LRHW.

Five launchers were delivered in late 2021, and Dynetics continues to support the fielding of these launchers. Residual combat capacity is expected for 2023.

These three projects combined represent a colossal effort to rapidly counter the new tactics and weapons of states hostile to America and its interests. With evolving threats arising around the globe, the swift innovation of companies like Dynetics form a key role in protecting the United States.