AGM-183 ARRW

AGM-183 ARRW
A prototype AGM-183A is pictured carried by a U.S. Air Force B-52 in a June 2019 test.
TypeAir-launched ballistic missile with hypersonic glide vehicle
Place of originUnited States
Service history
Used byUnited States Air Force (Cancelled)
Production history
ManufacturerLockheed Martin
Unit cost$15-$18 million[1]
Specifications
Mass6,600 lb (3,000 kg)
Length22 ft (6.7 m)
Operational
range
1,000 mi (1,600 km)[2][3]
Maximum speed Mach 7+ (planned)[3]
Launch
platform
B-1B/B-52/B-21/F-15E[4]

The AGM-183 ARRW ("Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon") is[5] a hypersonic air-to-ground ballistic missile planned for use by the United States Air Force. Developed by Lockheed Martin, the boost-glide vehicle is propelled to a maximum speed of more than Mach 5[6] by a rocket motor before gliding toward its target.[7][3] The program was cancelled in March 2023 after multiple failed tests.[8] The program, however, continued despite the cancellation and was announced to still be in development following additional, undisclosed testing.[9] However in 2024 it was announced that in the fiscal year 2025 budget, no funding would be provided for procurement or further research and development.[10]

  1. ^ Tirpak, John A. (February 1, 2023). "CBO Estimates $15-18 Million Cost Per ARRW Hypersonic Missile". Air & Space Forces Magazine. Archived from the original on February 2, 2023.
  2. ^ Tirpak, John A. (October 1, 2020). "Buff Up". Air & Space Forces Magazine. Archived from the original on September 29, 2022.
  3. ^ a b c "Hypersonic Weapons: Background and Issues for Congress" (PDF). Federation of American Scientists. October 14, 2022. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 28, 2023. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  4. ^ Tirpak, John A. (March 2, 2020). "Roper: The ARRW Hypersonic Missile Better Option for USAF". Air & Space Forces Magazine. Archived from the original on December 6, 2022. Retrieved June 6, 2020. The reason we went with ARRW was not that HCSW was bad, but ARRW is smaller; we can carry twice as many on the B-52, and it's possible it could be on the F-15
  5. ^ Newdick, Joseph Trevithick, Thomas (March 1, 2024). "B-52 Armed With Hypersonic Missile Makes Appearance In Guam". The War Zone. Retrieved March 2, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  6. ^ "AGM-183 ARRW". Air & Space Forces Magazine. Archived from the original on May 12, 2023. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
  7. ^ Rogoway, Tyler (August 9, 2020). "Check Out This B-52 Stratofortress Carrying Two AGM-183 Hypersonic Test Missiles". The Drive. Archived from the original on August 9, 2020. Retrieved October 11, 2020.
  8. ^ Losey, Stephen (March 30, 2023). "US Air Force drops Lockheed hypersonic missile after failed tests". Defense News. Archived from the original on May 21, 2023.
  9. ^ "Hypersonics: Rocket Science Meets Critical Capability". Lockheed Martin. November 15, 2023. Archived from the original on January 1, 2024. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  10. ^ Losey, Stephen (March 12, 2024). "Air Force budget backs Raytheon hypersonic, no Lockheed missile funds". Defense News. Retrieved May 19, 2024.