§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much the Sustained Hypersonic Flight Experiment programme is expected to cost; for how many years the programme is projected to last; and if he will make a statement. [7337]
§ Dr. MoonieThe Sustained Hypersonic Flight Experiment is an experimental programme with the primary aim of obtaining vital engineering data to allow the Ministry of Defence to determine the credibility and risk levels associated with the development and future possible procurement of hypersonic cruise missiles.
1138WThe programme is expected to last for six years. The first year is a preliminary study costing £172,000. The cost to MOD for the following five years is expected to be approximately £1 million per annum.
The programme will be reviewed at the end of the first year and again at the end of the third year to ensure its aims remain viable and that the project has a manageable level of technical risk before continuation funding is released.
An important part of the preliminary study phase is to seek international collaborative partners to increase the overall value of this research programme to MOD.