AGM-183 ARRW explained

AGM-183 ARRW
Origin:United States
Is Missile:yes
Type:Air-launched ballistic missile with hypersonic glide vehicle
Used By:United States Air Force (Active)
Manufacturer:Lockheed Martin
Unit Cost:$15-$18 million[1]
Speed:Mach 7+ (planned)[2]
Vehicle Range:[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] [2] 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]

History

Development and acquisition

In August 2018, the U.S. Air Force awarded a $480 million contract to Lockheed Martin for the development of an air-launched hypersonic weapon.[11] The resulting missile, the AGM-183A ARRW ("Arrow"), underwent an initial captive carry flight test aboard a U.S. Air Force B-52 in June 2019.

In February 2020, the Trump Administration proposed a 23% increase in funding for hypersonic weapons, and the same month, the U.S. Air Force announced it had decided to move forward with acquisition of the AGM-183A.[12] [13]

In March 2020, Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Michael D. Griffin stated that the United States was "close at hand" to having a hypersonic boost-glide weapon ready to field.[14]

In early 2023, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated that a production run of 300 ARRWs would have a unit cost of $14.9 million per missile and a program cost of $5.3 billion including platform integration and 20 years of sustainment. For a production run of 100, each copy would cost $18 million with a program cost of $2.2 billion.[1]

Theorized relation to the "Super-Duper Missile"

A "Super-Duper Missile" was announced by US President Donald Trump during a press availability in the Oval Office on May 15, 2020.[15] [16] According to Trump, the weapon is 17 times faster than existing missiles in the United States arsenal; however, Kingston Reif of the Arms Control Association believes the claim may have been a misstatement.[17] [18] [19] PBS news correspondent Nick Schifrin has theorized that the "Super-Duper Missile" is the AGM-183A, as has the China Times.[20] [21]

Design and performances

The AGM-183A had a claimed maximum speed of more than 15000mph.

The weapon used a boost-glide system, in which it was propelled to hypersonic speed by a rocket on which it was mounted before gliding toward a target.[12] According to Popular Mechanics, the U.S. Air Force was, as of April 2020, considering using the remaining fleet of B-1B bombers as AGM-183A firing platforms, with each aircraft carrying up to 31 hypersonic weapons (between ARRW and HAWC)[22] mounted on the Common Strategic Rotary Launcher and on external pylons.[23]

Testing

A booster flight test of ARRW took place in April 2021 at Point Mugu Sea Range, off the coast of Southern California but did not launch successfully;[24] this was the eighth test for ARRW.[25]

Another test in May 2021 for the ARRW's avionics, sensors and communications systems, was successful. The test did not use any of the ARRW's systems but instead used a B-52 based system. On a flight to Alaska from Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana, the B-52 was able to receive target data from over 1000nmi away.[26]

In July 2021, a second flight test at Point Mugu Sea Range, again being dropped from a B-52 bomber, was a failure as the solid rocket motor failed to ignite.[27] [28] On December 15, 2021, the third flight test failed to launch as well.[29] On March 9, 2022, Congress halved funding for ARRW and transferred the balance to ARRW's R&D account to allow for further testing, which puts the procurement contract at risk.[30]

On May 14, 2022, the 419th Flight Test Squadron and the Global Power Bomber Combined Test Force at Edwards Air Force Base conducted the first successful test of the ARRW off the coast of Southern California. The weapon demonstrated separation from the B-52H Stratofortress. Its booster ignited and burned for the expected duration, and the weapon was able to achieve speeds greater than 5Mach.[31]

The USAF conducted another successful test of the missile on July 12, 2022.[32] [33]

The USAF completed the first All-Up-Round (AUR) test on December 9, 2022.[34] This test included both the booster and hypersonic glide vehicle.[35] The USAF 412th Test Wing used a B-52H Stratofortress, at Edwards Air Force Base.[36]

On March 13, 2023, the United States Air Force conducted a hypersonic test-launch of an operational AGM-183A prototype from a Boeing B-52H Stratofortress by the 412th Test Wing located at Edwards Air Force Base in California.[37] Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said the test had failed.[8]

On August 19, 2023, the Air Force conducted another test of the ARRW, and said it had "gained valuable new insights into the capabilities" of ARRW.[38]

On October 12, 2023, the Air Force conducted another test of the ARRW, and said it had "gained valuable new insights into the capabilities of this new, cutting-edge technology".[39]

On November 15, 2023, Lockheed Martin announced that the program was at a point where the company and its suppliers were ready for low-rate manufacture following breakthroughs in development.[9]

On December 9, 2023, the Air Force conducted the first launch of a full prototype operational AGM-183 over a test range off the coast of Southern California. An official USAF statement read "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."[40]

On February 28, 2024, Andersen Air Force Base released pictures of a live AGM-183A carried by a B-52 bomber as part of a training event.[41]

On March 17, 2024, the USAF conducted its final planned end-to-end test launch of the AGM-183A, successfully launching one out of a B-52 bomber taking off from Andersen Air Force Base.[42] [43]

On March 19, 2024, the Air Force conducted another test-launch of an operational AGM-183 near Guam.

Cancellation

On March 29, 2023, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, Andrew Hunter told the House Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee, a committee responsible for providing oversight for military ammunition, acquisition, and aviation programs,[44] that the AGM-183A program would not proceed, although the ARRW program's last two all-up round test flights would proceed in order to collect data to help with future hypersonic programs.[45] In the Fiscal Year 2025 budget, released March 11, 2024, no funding was provided for procurement or further research and development of the AGM-183, effectively ending the project.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Tirpak . John A. . 1 February 2023 . CBO Estimates $15-18 Million Cost Per ARRW Hypersonic Missile . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230202020339/https://www.airandspaceforces.com/cbo-estimates-15-18-million-cost-per-arrw-hypersonic-missile/ . 2 February 2023 . Air & Space Forces Magazine.
  2. Web site: 14 October 2022 . Hypersonic Weapons: Background and Issues for Congress . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231228184811/https://sgp.fas.org/crs/weapons/R45811.pdf . 28 December 2023 . 15 April 2023 . Federation of American Scientists.
  3. Web site: Tirpak . John A. . 1 October 2020 . Buff Up . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220929032612/https://www.airandspaceforces.com/article/buff-up/ . 29 September 2022 . Air & Space Forces Magazine.
  4. News: Tirpak . John A. . 2 March 2020 . Roper: The ARRW Hypersonic Missile Better Option for USAF . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221206131442/https://www.airandspaceforces.com/arrw-beat-hcsw-because-its-smaller-better-for-usaf/ . 6 December 2022 . 6 June 2020 . Air & Space Forces Magazine . 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. Web site: Newdick . Joseph Trevithick, Thomas . 2024-03-01 . B-52 Armed With Hypersonic Missile Makes Appearance In Guam . 2024-03-02 . The War Zone . en.
  6. Web site: AGM-183 ARRW . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230512023146/https://www.airandspaceforces.com/weapons-platforms/agm-183-arrw/ . 12 May 2023 . 17 May 2022 . Air & Space Forces Magazine.
  7. Web site: Rogoway . Tyler . 9 August 2020 . Check Out This B-52 Stratofortress Carrying Two AGM-183 Hypersonic Test Missiles . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200809110051/https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/35530/check-out-this-b-52-stratofortress-carrying-two-agm-183-hypersonic-test-missiles . 9 August 2020 . 11 October 2020 . The Drive.
  8. Web site: Losey . Stephen . US Air Force drops Lockheed hypersonic missile after failed tests . Defense News . https://archive.today/20230521031407/https://www.defensenews.com/air/2023/03/30/us-air-force-drops-lockheed-hypersonic-missile-after-failed-tests/ . 21 May 2023 . en . 30 March 2023 . live.
  9. Web site: 15 November 2023 . Hypersonics: Rocket Science Meets Critical Capability . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240101125145/https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/news/features/2023/hypersonics-rocket-science-meets-critical-capability.html . 1 January 2024 . 17 November 2023 . Lockheed Martin . en.
  10. Web site: Losey . Stephen . 2024-03-12 . Air Force budget backs Raytheon hypersonic, no Lockheed missile funds . 2024-05-19 . Defense News . en.
  11. News: Pawlyk . Oriana . 18 June 2019 . In First, Air Force Flies Hypersonic Missile Prototype on B-52 Bomber . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230418073913/https://www.military.com/daily-news/2019/06/18/first-air-force-flies-hypersonic-missile-prototype-b-52-bomber.html . 18 April 2023 . 23 May 2020 . military.com.
  12. News: Tirpak . John A. . 2 March 2020 . Roper: The ARRW Hypersonic Missile Better Option for USAF . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230608075113/https://www.airandspaceforces.com/arrw-beat-hcsw-because-its-smaller-better-for-usaf/ . 8 June 2023 . 17 May 2020 . Air & Space Forces Magazine.
  13. News: Sanger . David E. . 10 February 2020 . Trump Budget Calls for New Nuclear Warheads and 2 Types of Missiles . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230517203854/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/10/us/politics/trump-budget-nuclear-missiles.html . 17 May 2023 . 17 May 2020 . New York Times.
  14. News: Harper . Jon . 4 March 2020 . Pentagon to Spend Billions Mass-Producing Hypersonic Weapons . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231005154951/https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2020/3/4/pentagon-to-spend-billions-mass-producing-hypersonic-weapons . 5 October 2023 . 17 May 2020 . National Defense Magazine.
  15. News: Pickrell . Ryan . 15 May 2020 . Trump says the US is building a 'super-duper missile' that is much faster than anything it has now . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240106092129/https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-says-us-building-what-he-calls-super-duper-missile-2020-5?r=US&IR=T . 6 January 2024 . 16 May 2020 . Business Insider.
  16. News: Johnson . Marty . 16 May 2020 . Trump touts new 'super-duper' missile that can allegedly travel 17 times faster than current missiles . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230406001442/https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/498148-trump-touts-new-super-duper-missile-that-can-allegedly-travel-17/ . 6 April 2023 . 16 May 2020 . The Hill.
  17. News: Choi . David . 19 May 2020 . Trump's boasts about 'super-duper' missiles reflect misunderstanding of what those weapons actually do . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230406012432/https://www.businessinsider.com/trumps-super-fast-and-super-duper-missile-confusion-2020-5 . 6 April 2023 . 19 May 2020 . Business Insider.
  18. News: Browne . Ryan . 16 May 2020 . Trump touts new 'super duper' missile but Pentagon won't confirm details . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230405013413/https://edition.cnn.com/2020/05/16/politics/trump-super-duper-missile/ . 5 April 2023 . 16 May 2020 . CNN.
  19. News: 16 May 2020 . Trump says US developing a 'super duper missile' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230405105847/https://www.timesofisrael.com/trump-says-us-developing-a-super-duper-missile/ . 5 April 2023 . 16 May 2020 . . Associated Press.
  20. Web site: Schifrin . Nick . For those interested, the aforementioned super duper missile AGM-183 Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon hypersonic . @nickschifrin . . May 16, 2020.
  21. News: 18 May 2020 . 川普：美國將有「超級飛彈」速度超乎想像 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230406001442/https://www.chinatimes.com/realtimenews/20200518004347-260417?chdtv . 6 April 2023 . 18 May 2020 . . zh.
  22. Web site: Tirpak . John . 2020-04-07 . AFGSC Eyes Hypersonic Weapons for B-1, Conventional LRSO . 2024-04-10 . Air & Space Forces Magazine . en-US.
  23. News: Mizokami . Kyle . 9 April 2020 . The B-1 Bomber Might Start Slinging Hypersonic Missiles . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230331141322/https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/aviation/a32096936/b-1-bomber-hypersonic-missiles/ . 31 March 2023 . 20 May 2020 . Popular Mechanics.
  24. Web site: Gertz . Bill . 3 March 2021 . Air Force to test hypersonic missile . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230405204343/https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2021/mar/3/air-force-to-test-hypersonic-missile/ . 5 April 2023 . The Washington Times.
  25. Web site: Hitchens . Theresa . 3 June 2021 . B-21 Speeds To IOC; ARRW Test Slated For Next Month: Ray . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231113193616/https://breakingdefense.com/2021/06/b-21-speeds-to-ioc-arrw-test-slated-for-next-month-ray/ . 13 November 2023 . Breaking Defense.
  26. Web site: Dutton . Jack . 13 May 2021 . Air Force Bomber Completes Hypersonic Missile Test Amid China, Russia Arms Race . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230405205846/https://www.newsweek.com/bomber-completes-hypersonic-missile-test-1591252 . 5 April 2023 . Newsweek.
  27. Web site: D'Urso . Stefano . 4 August 2021 . First Flight Test Of Hypersonic AGM-183A ARRW (Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon) Fails, Again. . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230607131609/https://theaviationist.com/2021/08/04/arrw-test-fails-again/ . 7 June 2023 . The Aviationist.
  28. Web site: Insinna . Valerie . 4 August 2021 . After latest flight test failure, US Air Force hopes to keep first hypersonic missile on track for production . live . https://archive.today/20210805152817/https://www.defensenews.com/air/2021/08/04/after-latest-flight-test-failure-us-air-force-hoping-to-keep-first-hypersonic-missile-on-track-for-production/ . 5 August 2021 . Defense News.
  29. Web site: Insinna . Valerie . 20 December 2021 . Air Force hypersonic weapon runs into trouble after a third failed test . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230822183750/https://breakingdefense.com/2021/12/air-force-hypersonic-weapon-runs-into-trouble-after-a-third-failed-test/ . 22 August 2023 . Breaking Defense.
  30. Web site: Insinna . Valerie . 9 March 2022 . Air Force can't buy its first hypersonic ARRW as planned, following budget cut . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230418074058/https://breakingdefense.com/2022/03/air-force-cant-buy-its-first-hypersonic-arrw-as-planned-following-budget-cut/ . 18 April 2023 . Breaking Defense.
  31. Web site: 16 May 2022 . Air Force conducts successful hypersonic weapon test . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230907154813/https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3033416/air-force-conducts-successful-hypersonic-weapon-test/ . 7 September 2023 . 17 May 2022 . United States Air Force.
  32. News: Stone . Mike . 13 July 2022 . U.S. successfully tests pair of Lockheed hypersonic missiles . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220713182536/https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/us-successfully-tested-lockheed-hypersonic-missile-this-week-sources-2022-07-13/ . 13 July 2022 . 13 July 2022 . Reuters . en.
  33. Web site: 13 July 2022 . Air Force completes another successful hypersonic test . https://web.archive.org/web/20231001153620/https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3092249/air-force-completes-another-successful-hypersonic-test/ . 1 October 2023 . 13 July 2022 . Air Force . en-US.
  34. Web site: Cole . Ilka . 12 December 2022 . Air Force conducts first ARRW operational prototype missile test . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231223064903/https://www.eglin.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3240613/air-force-conducts-first-arrw-operational-prototype-missile-test/ . 23 December 2023 . Eglin Air Force Base.
  35. Web site: Insinna . Valerie . 12 December 2022 . Air Force successfully tests first fully-operational air-launched hypersonic missile . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230503115718/https://breakingdefense.com/2022/12/air-force-successfully-tests-first-fully-operational-air-launched-hypersonic-missile/ . 3 May 2023 . Breaking Defense.
  36. Web site: Losey . Stephen . 12 December 2022 . Air Force conducts first launch of prototype hypersonic missile . live . https://archive.today/20240106095327/https://www.defensenews.com/air/2022/12/12/air-force-conducts-first-operational-launch-of-arrw-hypersonic-missile/ . 6 January 2024 . Defense News.
  37. Web site: Losey . Stephen . 24 March 2023 . US Air Force conducts hypersonic test, but full results are unclear . live . https://archive.today/20240106095545/https://www.defensenews.com/air/2023/03/24/us-air-force-conducts-hypersonic-test-but-full-results-are-unclear/ . 6 January 2024 . Defense News.
  38. Web site: Losey . Stephen . 21 August 2023 . US Air Force fires hypersonic ARRW in first test since March failure . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231011141341/https://www.c4isrnet.com/battlefield-tech/space/2023/08/21/us-air-force-fires-arrw-hypersonic-in-first-test-since-march-failure/ . 11 October 2023 . C4ISRNet.
  39. Web site: Tirpak . John . 2023-10-17 . Air Force Says ARRW Test Provides 'New Insights,' But Offers Few Specifics . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231111164502/https://www.airandspaceforces.com/air-force-arrw-test-new-insights-few-specifics/ . 2023-11-11 . 2023-10-18 . Air & Space Forces Magazine . en-US.
  40. Web site: Tingley . Brett . 2023-12-12 . US Air Force launches 1st operational hypersonic missile . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231212124538/https://www.space.com/us-air-force-launches-first-hypersonic-missile . 2023-12-12 . 2023-12-12 . Space.com . en-US.
  41. News: Trevithick . Joseph  . Newdick . Thomas . 1 March 2024 . B-52 Armed With Hypersonic Missile Makes Appearance In Guam . The War Zone . 3 March 2024.
  42. Web site: Trevithick . Joseph . 2024-03-19 . Unprecedented U.S. Hypersonic Weapons Test From Guam Has Occurred . 2024-03-20 . The War Zone . en.
  43. Web site: Stone . Mike . March 19, 2024 . US Air Force says it conducted successful hypersonic weapon test . March 19, 2024 . Reuters.
  44. Web site: Tactical Air and Land Forces (117th Congress) . 2023-04-01 . House Armed Services Committee . en.
  45. Web site: Losey . Stephen . US Air Force drops Lockheed hypersonic missile after failed tests . Defense News . https://archive.today/20230521031407/https://www.defensenews.com/air/2023/03/30/us-air-force-drops-lockheed-hypersonic-missile-after-failed-tests/ . 21 May 2023 . en . 30 March 2023 . live.

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