DECEMBER 13, 2022 – A B-52H Stratofortress successfully released the first All-Up-Round AGM-183A Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon off the Southern California coast, Dec. 9.
This test was the first launch of a full prototype operational missile. Previous test events focused on proving the booster performance.
Following the ARRW’s separation from the aircraft, it reached hypersonic speeds greater than five times the speed of sound, completed its flight path and detonated in the terminal area.
Indications show that all objectives were met.
“The ARRW team successfully designed and tested an air-launched hypersonic missile in five years,” said Brig. Gen. Jason Bartolomei, Armament Directorate Program executive officer. “I am immensely proud of the tenacity and dedication this team has shown to provide a vital capability to our warfighter.”
The 412th Test Wing at Edwards AFB, California, executed the ARRW test flight.
ARRW is designed to enable the U.S. to hold fixed, high-value, time-sensitive targets at risk in contested environments.
Background
The ARRW effort is one of two hypersonic weapon prototyping efforts being pursued by the Air Force to accelerate hypersonic research and development. The Air Force is using rapid prototyping authorized by Section 804 of the FY16 National Defense Authorization Act to explore the art-of-the-possible and to advance these technologies to a capability in 2021.
The Air Force’s other hypersonic weapon rapid prototyping effort is called the Hypersonic Conventional Strike Weapon (HCSW). The ARRW and HCSW efforts are developing unique capabilities for the warfighter and each has different technical approaches. The ARRW effort is “pushing the art-of-the-possible” by leveraging the technical base established by the Air Force/DARPA partnership. The HCSW effort is using mature technologies that have not been integrated for an air-launched delivery system.
The Armament Directorate of the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center is providing program management of these prototyping efforts.
By Ilka Cole
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, FL