The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has awarded Lockheed Martin UK a £20 million contract for Project Bowline, a crucial programme aimed at developing hypersonic targets. This initiative is designed to protect the UK's and its allies' missile defence systems against rapidly evolving threats, with a live flight demonstration scheduled for 2027.
Awarded by the National Armaments Director (NAD) Group, the contract marks the MOD's return to hypersonic target development after over a decade. The project is expected to create around 63 jobs in Bedfordshire and inject £2 million into the UK supply chain, with many of these benefits going to small and medium-sized enterprises.
Project Bowline forms part of the AUKUS Pillar 2 partnership between the UK, US, and Australia, which aims to accelerate the development of both hypersonic and counter-hypersonic technologies. The UK's contribution will see significant collaborations with its international partners, including expertise in flight testing and research.
Under the contract, Lockheed Martin UK will be responsible for designing, manufacturing, qualifying, and testing a hypersonic target at its advanced facility in the UK. These targets are engineered to simulate high-speed threats that can reach speeds exceeding Mach 5. The project's culmination will be a first flight demonstration, enabling the assessment and qualification of next-generation missile defence systems.
National Armaments Director Rupert Pearce highlighted the significance of Project Bowline, stating it is crucial for maintaining the UK's advantage against rapidly evolving hypersonic threats. He stressed that by collaborating with AUKUS partners and investing in advanced technology domestically, the UK strengthens its arsenal, supports economic growth, and enhances missile defence capabilities.