The Pentagon is considering constructing a second track to test hypersonic systems that can exceed Mach 5 speeds. George Rumford, director of the Test Resource Management Center, mentioned during a House Armed Services Strategic Forces subcommittee hearing on March 12 that the current track at Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico, operated by the Arnold Engineering and Development Complex, is over 70 years old and may need an upgrade to better test hypersonics.
The department has upgraded equipment at Holloman over the years, with plans for further modernization, but the process disrupts testing schedules. Building a new high-speed track could increase testing capacity, aiming to improve the testing cadence pushed by the DOD.
In recent years, the Pentagon has been increasing hypersonic tests, with a $9.8 billion budget request in fiscal 2025 for hypersonic and long-range missile development. Efforts are underway to boost testing capacity, including investments in government-owned facilities and partnerships with private sector organizations.
Collaboration with the Naval Surface Warfare Center’s Crane Division is also happening to develop the Multi-Service Advanced Capability Hypersonics Test Bed program. Additionally, working with the Defense Innovation Unit through the Hypersonic and High-Cadence Airborne Testing Capabilities program aims to make flight testing more affordable and support faster timelines for fielding hypersonic systems. The goal is to leverage commercial innovation for flight testing.
