RESTON, Virginia — May 13, 2026 : Leidos has been awarded a $2.7 billion contract by the United States Army to transition key hypersonic weapons programmes from the prototyping stage into full-scale production, marking a significant step in the expansion of U.S. long-range strike capabilities.
The contract consolidates the Thermal Protection Shield (TPS) and Common Hypersonic Glide Body (CHGB) programmes into a unified production framework intended to accelerate manufacturing timelines and improve coordination between suppliers supporting both the U.S. Army and the U.S. Navy.
The CHGB serves as the maneuverable payload section of the hypersonic missile system and carries the warhead, navigation, and guidance components. It is the core element of the Army’s Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon system, known as “Dark Eagle,” as well as the Navy’s Conventional Prompt Strike programme. The TPS programme focuses on developing protective technologies designed to shield the glide body from the extreme heat and aerodynamic pressure generated during hypersonic flight.
According to Leidos, integrating the two programmes under a single production structure is intended to support ongoing Army acquisition reform initiatives by reducing duplication across suppliers, simplifying logistics, and improving manufacturing efficiency. The company stated that the consolidation is expected to shorten production timelines while ensuring a stable supply of critical components for operational deployment requirements.
Hypersonic weapons are capable of travelling at speeds greater than Mach 5 while maintaining maneuverability during flight, making them more difficult to track and intercept using conventional missile defence systems. The move into sustained production reflects continued Pentagon efforts to field operational hypersonic strike systems amid growing competition in advanced missile technologies.
Leidos said it will apply its experience in guidance systems, sensor technologies, and precision munitions integration during the production phase. Through its subsidiary Dynetics, the company has served as the prime contractor for the CHGB programme since 2019 and for the TPS programme since 2021.
In March 2026, the Army and Navy conducted joint testing of the hypersonic missile system associated with the programme, as both services continue efforts to accelerate deployment schedules for long-range hypersonic capabilities.
“This contract is a major step forward in delivering hypersonic capabilities to the warfighter at speed,” said Cindy Gruensfelder, president of Leidos Defense. “Our team is committed to supporting the Army and Navy in producing this critical operational capability.”
The agreement also supports the company’s NorthStar 2030 corporate strategy, which focuses on advanced military technologies, precision-strike systems, and integrated air and missile defence capabilities.
Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, Leidos employs approximately 50,000 personnel worldwide and reported annual revenues of approximately $17.2 billion for the fiscal year ending January 2, 2026. The company stated that the programme is intended to support current and future operational requirements for both the U.S. Army and the U.S. Navy through expanded large-scale hypersonic weapons manufacturing.
——— End of Article ———
