Quickstep, DSTG, DMTC to explore high temperature materials for hypersonics

Sydney-based Quickstep Holdings Ltd has begun a jointly funded project with the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG), in collaboration with DMTC Ltd, to identify, analyse and test high temperature materials as a first step towards the development of future hypersonic aerostructures. The project will also involve technical experts from the University of NSW (UNSW), specialising in the field of hypersonics.

Hypersonic aerostructures are components of an aircraft’s airframe that are capable of withstanding extreme conditions experienced during hypersonic flight (>5 times the speed of sound), including high heat loads. Future hypersonic weapons are a key components of the Sovereign Guided Weapons and Explosives Ordnance Enterprise (GWEO) announced earlier this year by former defence minister Peter Dutton.

The R&D project, named Hype-X, positions Quickstep within in the sovereign development of hypersonic aerostructures. It will initially focus on the applicability of existing high-temperature materials for the manufacture of hypersonic aerostructures, then move on to develop novel materials and manufacturing processes to fill capability gaps.

Under the project, Quickstep will obtain commercialisation rights to any newly developed intellectual property (IP), with the IP ownership retained beneficially for Australia’s sovereign defence capability by DMTC Ltd.

“Quickstep is well known for its advanced composite aircraft structures and has a long history of developing and commercialising advanced composites processes and technologies in new applications,” said CEO & Managing Director Mark Burgess. “Innovation is at the core of Quickstep, and the Hype-X partnership positions the Company in the development of sovereign hypersonic aerostructures and should further diversify and grow our business over the long term.”

The Hype-X partnership is in line with Quickstep’s strategic objective of developing new technology partnerships to drive long term growth, he added.

DMTC Chief Executive Dr Mark Hodge paid tribute to DSTG’s leadership in applying science and technology to safeguard Australia and its national interests. “I’m delighted that DMTC’s relationship with DSTG continues to grow and to have this opportunity to collaborate with Quickstep, an Australian company with a deep history of developing aerospace composites, and with UNSW. We are bringing expertise from across the nation’s leading aerospace R&D organisations to the fore in the development of hypersonic materials, which has far-reaching and important defence and national security applications.”