Leidos wins $2.7B contract for hypersonic weapon production

Fortune 500 defense contractor Leidos announced Tuesday that the U.S. Army has awarded the Reston-based company a $2.7 billion contract to help move hypersonic weapons into production for the Army and Navy.

Under the contract, Leidos said it will work to accelerate production and improve the supply of critical components for hypersonic weapons systems. Hypersonic weapons can travel and maneuver at speeds greater than Mach 5, or five times the speed of sound.

The contract combines Leidos’ Thermal Protection Shield program — which develops technology that protects hypersonic weapons from extreme heat and pressure during flight — with its Common Hypersonic Glide Body (CHGB) program, which focuses on the maneuvering portion of the weapon that carries the warhead and guidance systems.

The company said combining the efforts is intended to streamline development and accelerate delivery of the weapons systems.

The contract’s period of performance runs through 2029. A company spokesperson said Leidos does not currently “have anything to share” regarding how many hypersonic systems or glide bodies will ultimately be produced.

Leidos said it brings experience in guidance systems, sensor technologies and precision munitions integration to the effort.

“This contract is a major step forward in delivering hypersonic capabilities to the warfighter at speed,” Leidos Defense President Cindy Gruensfelder said in a statement. “Our team is committed to supporting the Army and Navy in producing this critical operational capability.”

Leidos has served as the prime contractor on the thermal protection program since 2021 and the CHGB program since 2019.

Leidos employs more than 50,000 people globally and reported $17.2 billion in revenue for the fiscal year ending Jan. 2.