Stand-in Attack Weapon explained

The Stand-in Attack Weapon (SiAW) is a tactical air-to-surface missile under development for the United States Air Force (USAF) by Northrop Grumman.

History

In May 2022, the USAF awarded contracts to L3Harris Technologies, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman to begin the first phase of development for the Stand-in Attack Weapon (SiAW).^{[1] [2]}

On 28 September 2023 the USAF awarded a US$705m contract to Northrop Grumman to develop and test the SiAW. The SiAW is intended to attack relocatable targets including theater ballistic missile launchers, cruise and anti-ship missile launchers, GPS jamming platforms and anti-satellite systems. It will have a shorter range than standoff weapons, being fired by an aircraft after penetrating enemy airspace. The SiAW will fit inside the F-35 Lightning II's internal weapon bays. The design leverages work on the United States Navy's AGM-88G Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile - Extended Range (AARGM-ER). The USAF plans to have an operational weapon by 2026.^{[3] [4]}

Notes and References

1. News: US Air Force awards contracts to start designing F-35 weapon. Defense News. Stephen Losey. 9 June 2022. 20 August 2023.
2. News: New SiAW Seen as Modular, Pathfinder Weapon. Air & Space Forces Magazine. John Tirpak. 15 June 2022. 20 August 2023.
3. Web site: Northrop wins $705 million contract for F-35 air-to-ground weapon. Defense News. Stephen Losey. 26 September 2023. 13 November 2023.
4. Web site: Northrop Grumman awarded US Air Force contract to build Stand-in Attack Weapon. Janes. Zach Rosenberg. 28 September 2023. 13 November 2023.