Air Force leaders talk hypersonics R&D

Senior Air Force leaders met May 3 to discuss ways to speed up the service's hypersonics research and development, the service said May 9.

The conversation led to a "common understanding of the potential for hypersonics as a future operational game changer," the Air Force said.

Chief Scientist Greg Zacharias added it "laid the groundwork for a longer-term coordinated effort in policy, operational concepts, science and technology efforts, acquisition and test and evaluation." Hypersonic capabilities are being considered for a high-speed cruise missile; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft and more.

A service spokeswoman said May 9 details will be available after the fiscal year 2018 budget is revealed.