Navy seeks $38.2 million reprogramming for hypersonic, extended range upgrade to SM-6

By Justin Katz / April 24, 2019 at 1:42 PM

The Navy is seeking permission to reprogram $38.2 million dollars to "provide a hypersonic and extended range anti-surface warfare" capability to SM-6 Block IB Phase 1B all-up-rounds, according to a Defense Department document.

The April 17 reprogramming request, signed by acting Pentagon Comptroller Elaine McCusker, states the funding will be used for trade studies, concept and component designs, materials, detailed design specifications and interface specifications.

“These efforts are required in support of AUR and radome thermal protection, control surface assemblies high-temperature materials characterization [and] steering control section detailed design and materials,” according to the document.

The funds are also necessary for “MK 29 canister modification design, vertical launching system integration, as well as system/sub-system and software specifications to initiate combat system integration.”

A little less than half of the funds are being moved from the Navy’s shipbuilding account because the service determined $16.7 million “was in excess to the program manager’s estimate at completion” of several Arleigh Burke (DDG-51) class destroyers.

Money is also available from “multi-function fuze ammunition funding,” which the Navy is using economic order of quantity to buy 6,000 rounds per year, according to the document.

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