Boeing, Raytheon and Skunkworks compete for Mayhem: The future USAF multifunction hypersonic missile

The USAF is looking to get a larger-scale expendable air-breathing hypersonic missile, capable of carrying multiple payloads over distances further than current hypersonic capabilities allow, ready not only to attack but also to perform ISR functions, all in one nice modular package, larger than the AGM-183A Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW).

The future missile should be capable of carrying at least three distinct payloads in a payload bay for government-defined mission sets, and these payloads are to be modular. The new missile would be an air-breathing system –unlike the boost-glide ARRW– but would still use a solid rocket booster to accelerate to hypersonic speed.

The system is officially called the Expendable Hypersonic Air-Breathing Multi-Mission Demonstrator Program, but the USAF refers to it as “Mayhem System Demonstrator" and has solicited proposals from three contractors, namely Boeing, Raytheon and Skunkworks, with contracts to be awarded in fiscal year 2021.

The USAF hopes get to preliminary design review within 15 months, and, as fixed requisite, it should be small enough to be carried by a fighter aircraft as the F-15EX, able to transport a large payload of 7.000 pounds (3.175 kilograms) mounted on the jet’s centerline station.