Sponsored: Hypersonic Flight Raises the Bar for Embedded Electronics

Hypersonic flight introduces fundamental changes to the way today’s missiles operate. Cruise missiles fly and maneuver within the atmosphere across a range of altitudes, but at speeds barely reaching Mach 1. Ballistic missiles have speeds of up to Mach 9 during re-entry from space but their trajectory is fixed. Vastly faster than cruise missiles, yet following an unpredictable and adjustable flight path, hypersonic missiles are a unique threat.
 
So far, no hypersonic weapons have been deployed, but all major powers have advanced development projects. Russia and China have been vocal in promoting their capabilities, claiming successful tests of hypersonic missiles that will soon be able to deliver conventional and nuclear warheads at ranges over 2,000 km.
 
The U.S. is pursuing multiple hypersonic R&D programs, with public statements promising increased funding as efforts ramp up. It is worth noting that the U.S. focus includes both offensive hypersonic weapons and defensive systems; the defensive challenge is best illustrated by a tactical scenario that gives a ship less than 90 seconds to detect, identify, decide, and react to a hypersonic missile threat.
 
Matching and overcoming hypersonic threats will demand technology advances across three broad areas: (1) propulsion systems, (2) airframe materials, and (3) embedded electronics. While most R&D spending is targeting the first two areas, it is clear that innovative improvements in embedded electronics are key to creating fully functional hypersonic systems. Abaco is actively working on such innovations, bringing decades of embedded expertise to bear on the challenges posed by hypersonic flight. Click to download this white paper that examines, in broad terms, the nature of those challenges and some promising solutions.
 
“At Abaco, we innovate. We deliver. You succeed.” Our industry thrives on innovation. Everyone talks about being innovative. But: innovation doesn’t just happen – so what does it take to ensure innovation is both encouraged and enabled? It starts not only with our customers, but with their customers – the warfighters who rely on us to give them a competitive advantage – and understanding what’s really important to them.
 
And, of course, it involves staying abreast of – ahead of – the latest technology developments.

Learn more at abaco.com.