CRANE – Joint Hypersonics Transition Office (JHTO), in collaboration with the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane), is releasing two prize challenges to develop hypersonics prototypes rapidly.
The first prize challenge, Hypersonic Horizons: The High-Speed Video Challenge, is open to high school students and college undergraduates. To compete, students must create a three-to-five-minute video responding to the questions, “What is a possible benefit of further developing hypersonic travel?” and “What is a physics or engineering problem that needs to be overcome to make hypersonic travel a reality?”
Students can participate individually or with a team of three students or less. Any students under 18 wishing to participate must provide a signed consent form by January 17 at 11:59 p.m.
The video must be smaller than one gigabyte (GB) and submitted by 11:59 pm on 17 January. Full video criteria can be found at Challenge.Gov.
The second prize challenge is Hyper-AMPD!, a two-phase challenge open to anyone. During Phase One, participants must submit a White Paper for a low-cost, high-speed hypersonic system. Following Phase One, up to five submissions will be awarded $100,000 and invited to participate in Phase Two. Participants may be a part of a team and can submit multiple proposals. JHTO is looking for creative and cost-effective solutions to develop an offensive system that can be developed and tested within 24 months.
Phase One is due on January 17, 2024. More information about the Hyper-AMPD! prize challenge can be found on their website at Challenge.Gov.
Dr. Sarah Armstrong, Director of JHTO’s Systems Engineering Field Activity at NSWC Crane, is excited to see fresh ideas through these two projects.
“These challenges are designed to encourage innovative thinking and creative solutions. I cannot wait to see hypersonics through students’ eyes, and I hope to see new, unconstrained ideas from our industry, academic, and lab partners. It’s an exciting time, and JHTO is working hard to find new ways to engage with current and future innovators,” said Dr. Armstrong.
About NSWC Crane | NSWC Crane is a naval laboratory and a field activity of the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) with mission areas in Expeditionary Warfare, Strategic Missions, and Electromagnetic Warfare. The warfare center is responsible for multi-domain, multi-spectral, full life cycle support of technologies and systems enhancing capability to today’s Warfighter.
NAVSEA employs a diverse, highly trained, educated, and skilled workforce – from students and entry-level employees to experienced professionals and individuals with disabilities. They support today’s sophisticated Navy and Marine Corps ships, aircraft, weapon systems, and computer systems. They continuously seek engineers, scientists, IT, cyber specialists, trade, and other support professionals to ensure the U.S. Navy can protect and defend America. Don’t hesitate to contact NSWC Crane Human Resources at crane_recruiting@navy.mil.
