The Flight Advancement of Structures for Hypersonics (FLASH) Innovative Naval Prototype (INP) program integrates advanced hypersonic vehicle technologies that will demonstrate the viability of the concept to be fielded as a surface-launched, tactical range, hypersonic strike capability. FLASH will design, develop, manufacture and flight test a number of prototype vehicles to inform decisions concerning the FLASH capability. FLASH will address vehicle structural, aerodynamic and thermal performance, vehicle controllability and affordability related to its technologies and assess compatibility with the Vertical Launch System (VLS) and Virginia Payload Module (VPM). The FLASH concept, which leverages prior Applied Research, was selected by Navy Leadership as an INP in FY 2026 due to promising technology maturation.
A number of precursor, subscale ground and flight test efforts are planned to advise full-scale FLASH vehicle demonstrations. In support of this effort, the program office seeks to gather technical, performance, scalability, risk reduction options, technology/material readiness level (TRL/MRL), availability and cost information to include (technical on-site/financial) participation interest from other government and industry partners in a number of Critical Enabling Technology (CET) areas and engineering thrust categories to include:
- High TRL/Flight Qualified Command and Control Systems and System Components
- High Temperature Structures, Thermal Protection Systems, Assemblies and Components
- Scaled Design Verification and Flight Test Demonstration Capabilities
- Multidisciplinary Design, Analysis and Optimization (MDAO)
Please see full text of the announcement for additional information.
- Document
Published: April 10, 2026 2:41 PM EST
Full Proposals will be accepted until: EST
White Papers due no later than: EST