Mayhem program: multi-purpose hypersonic platform for the US Air Force
The concept of a hypersonic complex from DARPA
The United States is actively engaged in hypersonic topics and is simultaneously developing several projects of this kind at once. One of them is known under the Mayhem cipher and is still in its early stages. Unlike other projects, it provides for the development of weapons, but a multi-purpose platform with unique flight performance.
In the early stages
A new research program with supposed practical perspectives started two years ago. On August 5, 2020, the US Air Force issued a request for proposals for a new hypersonic aircraft. The program was called the Expendable Hypersonic Multi-Mission Air-Breathing Demonstrator (“Expandable Multi-Mission Air-Breathing Demonstrator”). The short name Mayhem ("Pogrom") is also used.
The program was led by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). The list of participants in the Air Force determined themselves. Boeing, Lockheed Martin Skunk Works and Raytheon received corresponding invitations due to their experience and developments in the field of hypersonic technologies. In the coming months, the participants were to express their consent and prepare technical proposals.
In January 2021, all three companies received contracts for the preliminary development of their projects. 15 months were allotted for the design and subsequent construction of technology demonstrators. It was assumed that the existing experience and ready-made technologies would make it possible to prepare projects in the shortest possible time.
Based on the results of the first stage of work, it was planned to conclude two contracts for the further development of Pogrom. As part of the first, it is planned to create the aircraft itself with the required characteristics and capabilities. The purpose of the second is to develop a propulsion system. Depending on the results of the first stage, the contracts may go to one company or to different ones.
Demonstration of Lockheed Martin developments
It should be noted that the appointed 15 months have already passed, but no News the progress of the Mayhem program has not yet been reported. In addition, none of the latest hypersonic news can be unambiguously associated with this program. It cannot be ruled out that already at the early stages the program encountered certain difficulties, and the customer had to reconsider the timing of its implementation. However, the results of the first stage may be revealed in the very near future.
Technical requirements
In the request for proposals, the US Air Force provided some technical requirements for a promising technology demonstrator. At the end of last year, the wishes of the customer were clarified and supplemented. The development companies, in turn, have not yet published any materials on the new program. How exactly they plan to fulfill the requirements of the customer is unknown.
According to available information, the result of the Mayhem program should be a multi-purpose hypersonic platform aircraft. It will take to the air with the help of a carrier aircraft and then perform an independent flight.
In 2020, it was reported that the Mayhem aircraft would be disposable. However, later the opinion on this matter changed. Now they plan to work out the issue of returning such a product to the base. In the future, this possibility will significantly reduce the cost of production and operation.
They want to provide the ability to solve different problems through a replaceable payload. The terms of reference propose three such modules. The first is a kind of combat weapon for striking areas, and the second will be a heavy unitary combat load. The third module is intended for reconnaissance of one kind or another. What kind of equipment will be included in it has not yet been reported.
The aircraft will be quite large. In terms of weight and overall characteristics, it can surpass the developed AGM-183A ARRW missile. At the same time, modern fighters are considered as a potential carrier of Pogrom, which imposes certain restrictions.
Experienced rocket AGM-183A ARRW under the wing of the carrier
As the name implies, the device will receive an air-jet engine. It is obvious that a ramjet engine designed for operation at supersonic and hypersonic speeds will be created for it. The propulsion system will have to work for almost the entire duration of the flight. Gliding flight as the main mode is not considered.
The required specifications are unknown. The Mayhem complex belongs to the hypersonic category, which indicates a flight at a speed of at least 5 M. The device is planned to be used with tactical aircraft aviation, and this may indicate its minimum range - at least hundreds of kilometers. The existing restrictions on dimensions make it possible to estimate a payload of hundreds of kilograms.
Remarkable features
Very little is known about the Mayhem project. Its existence is revealed and the most basic requirements are named. However, some interesting features of this program can already be noted. They attract attention, and can also determine its real prospects.
First of all, the very fact of launching another hypersonic project is interesting. Currently, in the interests of the Air Force and other structures of the Pentagon, several types of such weapons are being created at once with different features and parameters. The promising "Pogrom" joins these ranks, at least in the form of a research project.
In the course of other research programs and projects of real weapons, the technologies necessary to create hypersonic vehicles of various classes were created and tested. The promising Mayhem project does not provide for the development of new technologies; only existing developments will become its basis. This shows the current level of development of American hypersonic technologies, and also indicates the desire of the customer to save time and resources.
Of greatest interest in the Mayhem program is its main goal. This time, the Pentagon wants to get not another high-performance missile, but a multi-purpose complex. Once again, the US Air Force remembered the concept of a high-speed aerial reconnaissance and now proposes to implement it using advanced technologies.
Unmanned reconnaissance aircraft Lockheed D-21 - a functional analogue of the future Mayhem
Obviously, the creation of such a model of technology will not be easy and fast, even if the necessary technologies are available. As the current experience of the United States in the hypersonic field shows, problems are possible even with relatively simple developments, such as upper stages. However, the solution of the tasks set will give the Pentagon a number of new opportunities that will justify all the costs and difficulties.
The use of a unified platform with modular loads will simplify and reduce the cost of production of serial products for the Air Force, as well as accelerate the rearmament and development of such a complex. In addition, the preparation and conduct of sorties will be simplified, regardless of the task and the module used. The Pogrom complex will be able to carry not only heavy bombers, but also tactical aircraft - this will improve operational capabilities. Of great importance is the ability to return, if it can be obtained.
The reconnaissance potential of the Mayhem product is still unknown. Most likely, the corresponding plug-in module will be equipped with optoelectronic equipment. The use of electronic intelligence is unlikely due to the characteristics of hypersonic flight. In addition, these factors will impose restrictions on the exchange of data, the issuance of information and target designation.
It is quite possible that the development of new reconnaissance equipment is the most important and complex component of the Mayhem program. It is she who will allow the US Air Force to get not another version of a high-speed missile, but a more convenient and useful multi-purpose tool.
Overcome difficulties
In general, the US Air Force Expendable Hypersonic Multi-Mission Air-Breathing Demonstrator or Mayhem program is of great interest from a theoretical, technical and operational point of view. The Pentagon is directly interested in its successful completion, bringing it to full-fledged design, production and testing, with the subsequent adoption of the complex into service. By solving these problems, the Air Force will be able to obtain a number of new capabilities and some advantages over potential adversaries.
However, the developers of the new project face a number of complex tasks. They will have to create a new engine and a new airframe with the required level of performance, as well as develop three payload options that correspond to the specifics of the application. Whether it will be possible to cope with such work in a reasonable time is unclear. The current level of hypersonic projects gives the Pentagon reasons for optimism, but accidents during tests of such equipment speak of difficulties and unresolved problems. How all this will affect the new Pogrom is a big question.
Information