• DARPA seeks radical concepts for next-gen hypersonic cruise missile.
• Goal is to build and test a full-up demonstrator for the new missile.
• DARPA expects a Design for Manufacturing and Assembly philosophy from the outset.
• Notice asks for input on architectural concepts, high-risk technologies, and innovative testing.

This initiative may indicate the Pentagon's growing concern about falling behind China and Russia in hypersonics development. The focus on air-breathing propulsion suggests a shift towards more operational flexibility, which could enable the US to strike advanced threats in contested environments. The emphasis on radical new concepts may lead to a quantum leap in overall system performance.