
The Pentagon’s lead technology official has discussed lowering the costs of hypersonic weapons with at least one firm working in the area, telling reporters she’s confident the new systems can be more affordable when they move into regular production cycles. Heidi Shyu, the under secretary of defense for research and engineering, said automating manufacturing processes and buying in larger quantities over time will help drop the price for future hypersonic weapons. “[Industry] will develop a production line process to drive…