Programs
Programs glossary term

Conventional Prompt Strike

Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) — Navy Strategic Systems Programs hypersonic missile.

Programs Also: Conventional Prompt Strike, conventional-prompt-strike, CPS, Navy hypersonic, SSP hypersonic Has Dossier → 7 sources

01 Definition

Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) — Navy Strategic Systems Programs hypersonic missile. Managed by VADM Johnny Wolfe. 'Common hypersonic missile' developed with Army (common All Up Round). LOCKHEED MARTIN is the prime contractor. Cold-gas launch ap...

02 Detailed_Analysis

Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) — Navy Strategic Systems Programs hypersonic missile. Managed by VADM Johnny Wolfe. 'Common hypersonic missile' developed with Army (common All Up Round). LOCKHEED MARTIN is the prime contractor. Cold-gas launch ap... Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) — Navy Strategic Systems Programs hypersonic missile. Managed by VADM Johnny Wolfe. 'Common hypersonic missile' developed with Army (common All Up Round). LOCKHEED MARTIN is the prime contractor. Cold-gas launch approach for sea-based platforms (eject missile from ship, ignite at safe distance). Successfully tested end-to-end from Cape Canaveral (December 2024, May 2025). Navy plans to test aboard USS Zumwalt in 2027-2028. 'The speed, range, and survivability of hypersonic weapons are key to integrated deterrence.' CPS involves significant plasma physics: hypersonic plasma sheath, RF communication blackout through plasma, thermal protection system plasma interactions. CRITICAL CONNECTION: Pais was at SSP...

03 Key_Facts

  • ← Pais-SSP-Lockheed Triangle: Lockheed is CPS prime contractor — Pais at SSP during CPS development
  • → Navy SSP: CPS managed by Navy SSP
  • → Lockheed Martin Skunk Works®: Lockheed Martin is prime contractor for CPS
  • ← Navy Plasma Sheath SBIR: Navy funding plasma manipulation for hypersonic vehicles — CPS plasma sheath mitigation
  • Navy.mil — CPS cold-gas launch test (May 2, 2025)

04 Deep_Dive_Intelligence

Overview

Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) — Navy Strategic Systems Programs hypersonic missile. Managed by VADM Johnny Wolfe. 'Common hypersonic missile' developed with Army (common All Up Round). LOCKHEED MARTIN is the prime contractor. Cold-gas launch approach for sea-based platforms (eject missile from ship, ignite at safe distance). Successfully tested end-to-end from Cape Canaveral (December 2024, May 2025). Navy plans to test aboard USS Zumwalt in 2027-2028. 'The speed, range, and survivability of hypersonic weapons are key to integrated deterrence.' CPS involves significant plasma physics: hypersonic plasma sheath, RF communication blackout through plasma, thermal protection system plasma interactions. CRITICAL CONNECTION: Pais was at SSP (June 2019 - January 2021) while Lockheed was CPS prime contractor. Pais's plasma expertise could have been applied to CPS plasma physics challenges. SSP also manages Trident II D5/D5LE2 SLBMs and W93/Mk7 warhead — the Navy's most sensitive nuclear weapons programs.

Entity Type: Program — Conventional Prompt Strike is a government or defense program/initiative.


Network Relationships

Conventional Prompt Strike connects to 4 entities in the intelligence network:

Concepts (1):

  • Pais-SSP-Lockheed Triangle: Lockheed is CPS prime contractor — Pais at SSP during CPS development

Organisations (2):

Programs (1):

  • Navy Plasma Sheath SBIR: Navy funding plasma manipulation for hypersonic vehicles — CPS plasma sheath mitigation

Source Documents

Intelligence derived from 4 source documents:

  • Navy.mil — CPS cold-gas launch test (May 2, 2025)
  • Reuters — 'Lockheed Martin is the prime contractor' (May 2, 2025)
  • USNI News — CPS Zumwalt testing 2027-2028 (November 14, 2024)
  • SSP — CPS end-to-end flight test (December 12, 2024)

06 Related_Terms (1)

07 Related_Entities (1)

08 Timeline_Mentions (10)

1975

Ben Rich Directs Skunk Works

Ben Rich succeeds Kelly Johnson as director of Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, overseeing the development of stealth and revolutionary propulsion concepts.

personnel
2004

Clandestine FRC Breakthrough

Lockheed Martin Skunk Works is assessed to have achieved a significant technological breakthrough in FRC plasma physics.

historical-context
2004

Clandestine FRC Breakthrough at Skunk Works

An assessed major engineering success at Lockheed Martin Skunk Works validates the hardware program and elevates the Freescale SoC team to a national asset.

defense-programs
2004

Skunk Works FRC Breakthrough

The Lockheed Martin Skunk Works FRC program achieves a significant, assessed breakthrough, necessitating a counter-intelligence screen.

fusion-physics
2010

Lockheed Martin CFR Program Commencement

Lockheed Martin Skunk Works® officially begins its Compact Fusion Reactor (CFR) program, led by Thomas McGuire.

defense-programs
2013

CFR Soft Disclosure

Charles Chase of Lockheed Martin Skunk Works provides a 'soft disclosure' of the Compact Fusion Reactor program during a 'Solve for X' presentation.

historical-context
2014

Charles Chase reveals Skunk Works CFR

Public reveal of the Lockheed Martin Skunk Works Compact Fusion Reactor concept.

defense-programs
2014

Gabriel Ivan Font Personnel Movement

In 2014, Gabriel Ivan Font's career is tracked from plasma research at the USAF Academy to LANL and subsequently to Lockheed Martin Skunk Works as a co-inventor on CFR patents.

personnel
2014

Skunk Works CFR Public Announcement

Lockheed Martin Skunk Works publicly announces its Compact Fusion Reactor program, led by Thomas McGuire.

historical-context
2014

Lockheed Martin Skunk Works CFR Announcement

Lockheed Martin publicly announces its Compact Fusion Reactor program, correlating with the wind-down of public FRCHX activity.

defense-programs
View Full Timeline →

09 FAQ

What is Conventional Prompt Strike?
Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) — Navy Strategic Systems Programs hypersonic missile. Managed by VADM Johnny Wolfe. 'Common hypersonic missile' developed with Army (common All Up Round). LOCKHEED MARTIN is the prime contractor. Cold-gas launch ap...
Why does Conventional Prompt Strike matter?
Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) — Navy Strategic Systems Programs hypersonic missile.
How does Conventional Prompt Strike relate to other concepts?
Conventional Prompt Strike is closely related to Lockheed Martin Skunk Works. These relationships are documented in the research glossary and cross-referenced with primary source documents.
When did Conventional Prompt Strike appear in the research timeline?
Conventional Prompt Strike is referenced in 10 timeline events, including "Ben Rich Directs Skunk Works" (1975). The timeline provides chronological context for the development and application of this concept.
Which entities are associated with Conventional Prompt Strike?
1 entity is associated with Conventional Prompt Strike in the network graph, including Lockheed Martin Skunk Works®. Explore the network graph for full relationship mapping.
Is there a detailed dossier for Conventional Prompt Strike?
Yes, Conventional Prompt Strike has a comprehensive intelligence dossier with deep dive analysis, source documents, and network connections. View the full dossier for complete intelligence assessment.