Southern Cross Integrated Flight Research Experiment (SCIFIRE)

Abstract

SCIFIRE is a joint U.S. - Australia (AUS) partnership to develop and demonstrate an air-launched air-breathing hypersonic weapon prototype leveraging previous S&T investments in hypersonics. SCIFIRE will further mature hypersonic cruise missile technologies to engage time-critical, heavily defended, and high-value targets in a contested environment. The SCIFIRE form factor provides enhanced capability by allowing for integration on fighter aircraft. In FY 2023, project completed major design trades. The effort completed prototype system performance analysis and system design. Detailed design and analysis progressing toward Critical Design Review (CDR). Sub-scale wind tunnel testing to assess staging and stores loads complete.

Document Details

Document Type
Accomplishment
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2025
Source ID
30da7707f79a877552cb658d7cbbab11

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerodynamics/Aeronautics.
  • Military Science and Technology Research and Modernization.
  • Missile Defense Systems.

Technology Areas

  • Hypersonics
  • Hypersonics - Hypersonic Flow

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