Signal DARPA Issues Request for Information for Next-Generation Hypersonic Cruise Missile

Summary

DARPA's Tactical Technology Office issued a request for information on August 7, 2026 for a Next Generation Hypersonic Cruise Missile. The weapon is designed to fly above Mach 5 using air-breathing propulsion, drawing oxygen from the atmosphere rather than carrying an onboard oxidizer like a rocket. Industry responses to the RFI are due October 6, 2026. DARPA plans an in-person industry day in Arlington, Virginia in September 2026 to share technical details with potential contractors and research teams. An RFI is not a contract; it is a formal procedure for the government to gather ideas from private companies, universities and government labs before deciding whether to launch a full competition.