The US Air Force has performed the maiden flight test of its air-to-ground ARRW hypersonic weapon on a B-52 Stratofortress. Credit: US Air Force/Ethan Wagner.

The US Air Force (USAF) has performed the maiden flight test of its air-launched rapid response weapon (ARRW) hypersonic weapon on a B-52 Stratofortress aircraft.

Conducted out of Edwards Air Force Base in California, the test saw the B-52 carry a sensor-only version of the AGM-183A ARRW externally.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control bagged a contract last year to design the ARRW hypersonic weapon, which is expected to travel at Mach 5 or higher to overcome enemy defences.

The company will also provide critical design review, test and production readiness support to facilitate fielded prototypes.

Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control executive vice-president Frank St. John said: “With hypersonic capabilities being a national security priority, Lockheed Martin and the USAF are accelerating the maturation and fielding of a hypersonic weapon system. Lockheed Martin is proud to partner with the USAF on this important initiative.”

The captive carry flight test comes after the hypersonic weapon completed a preliminary design review in March this year.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

It represents another milestone in the USAF’s rapid prototyping effort to mature the AGM-183A.

The service plans to conduct further ground and flight testing over the next three years.

“The USAF is targeting the development of a hypersonic weapon by 2021, with initial operational capability scheduled to be achieved by fiscal 2022.”

The USAF is targeting the development of a hypersonic weapon by 2021, with initial operational capability scheduled to be achieved by fiscal 2022.

In a statement, Lockheed Martin said: “Hypersonic weapons provide a survivable and affordable capability that will overcome distance in contested environments using high speed, altitude and manoeuvrability.”

These weapons have the ability to amplify speed, range, flexibility and precision.

The flight test collected data on drag and vibration impacts on the weapon and on the external carriage equipment of the B-52 Stratofortress aircraft.

The USAF stated that the prototype used in the test did not have any explosives.

Under special provisions, the service intends to quickly bring hypersonic weapon capabilities to the warfighter.