Leidos Achieves Milestone in Next Generation Hypersonic System Development; Completes Key Reviews for Mayhem

DAYTON, Ohio, June 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Leidos, a global leader in technology and defense solutions, has achieved successful completion of two key reviews for the Air Force Research Lab's (AFRL) cutting-edge airbreathing hypersonic system, Mayhem. Completion of the two reviews—conceptual design review and system requirements review—marks a significant step forward in advancing the next generation of air-breathing hypersonic technologies. The reviews were executed within the digital engineering environment and showcased the designs and technologies envisioned for high-speed systems such as Mayhem.

A pivotal component in this monumental accomplishment was Leidos' use of a system design agent (SDA) construct. As part of the SDA approach, Leidos brought together a national team of hypersonic experts, fostering collaboration between a total of 15 entities from both industry and academia, each contributing their expertise to the successful execution of task order one. By leveraging the SDA construct, Leidos and the SDA team, Calspan, Draper, and Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, were able to focus on modular architectures and government data rights, creating an environment that facilitates a best of breed technology while cultivating a workforce pipeline through collaboration with the University of Michigan's Aerospace department and the U-M x88 Model-Based Systems Engineering lab. The combination of the SDA business model and AFRL's vision for digital engineering laid the groundwork to streamline the acquisition life cycle.

Driven by future capability needs and designed by the top hypersonic experts in the country, the conceptual system design of Mayhem surpasses current capabilities taking its position in the evolution of hypersonic weapons. AFRL plans to leverage the SDA and Leidos' expertise through the Expendable Hypersonic Multi-Mission Platform Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract to further advance hypersonic technology maturation.

"Mayhem represents a leap forward in hypersonic capabilities and we are thrilled with the outcomes of these reviews," said Mayhem Program Manager, Tiffany Creamer. "Despite temporary funding challenges, we remain committed to pushing the boundaries of innovation and collaboration with AFRL to deliver impactful solutions to our warfighters."

Certain statements in this announcement constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These statements are based on management's current beliefs and expectations and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. These statements are not guarantees of future results or occurrences. A number of factors could cause our actual results, performance, achievements, or industry results to be different from the results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, the "Risk Factors" set forth in Leidos' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2023, and other such filings that Leidos makes with the SEC from time to time.  Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Leidos does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect the impact of circumstances or events that arise after the date the forward-looking statements were made.

About Leidos

Leidos is a Fortune 500^® innovation company rapidly addressing the world's most vexing challenges in national security and health. The company's global workforce of 47,000 collaborates to create smarter technology solutions for customers in heavily regulated industries. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $15.4 billion for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2023. For more information, visit www.leidos.com. 

CONTACT: [email protected], 256-929-5229

SOURCE Leidos