Raytheon was awarded a $63.3 million contract to further develop Tactical Boost Glide hypersonic weapons program. Raytheon announced the contract, revealing the work will be part of a joint development of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and the Air Force. The contract includes critical design review of the new missile system, a key step in fielding the technology. The weapons are meant to meet the reported development of hypersonic weapons by other nations, specifically Russia and China.

The system allows for longer ranges with shorter response times and enhanced effectiveness compared with current military systems, according to DARPA. A tactical-range boost glide weapon achieves hypersonic speeds, or velocities five times greater than the speed of sound or March 5. The payload then separates from the rocket and glides unpowered to its destination.