NSWC Crane announces two challenges with over one million dollars in potential funding

Joint Hypersonics Transition Office (JHTO), in collaboration with Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane), is releasing two prize challenges for the rapid development of hypersonics prototypes.

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 in order to make hypersonic travel a reality?”

Students can participate individually or with a team of three students or less. Any students under the age of 18 wishing to participate must provide a signed consent form by 17 January at 11:59pm.

The video must be less than one gigabyte (GB) in size and submitted by 11:59pm on 17 January. Full video criteria can be found on their website at Challenge.Gov

The second prize challenge is Hyper-AMPD!, which is 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 with the overall goal of developing an offensive system that can be developed and tested within 24 months.

Phase One is due 17 January. 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 the eyes of students, 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.