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What Does Future Hold for US Air Force's Flagship AGM-183A Hypersonic Missile Program?.
The U.S. Air Force’s AGM-183A hypersonic missile program, known as the Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW), developed by Lockheed Martin, faces growing uncertainty, especially in light of the competing Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile (HACM) program. On September 26, 2024, an additional $13.4 million was granted to Lockheed Martin, raising questions about the Air Force’s intentions. While this funding might suggest a gradual closeout, it could also signal parallel developments or even a classified follow-up project.
Mounting of the AGM-183A under the wing of its carrier aircraft, the B-52H (Picture source: US Air Force )
Initially designed to close the U.S. hypersonic gap against adversaries like China, Russia, and North Korea, the AGM-183A was canceled in March 2023 due to technical issues but briefly revived due to a lack of viable alternatives before being omitted from the Pentagon’s 2024 budget.
The AGM-183A represents a significant advancement in U.S. hypersonic capabilities. This boost-glide missile employs a rocket to propel an unpowered glide vehicle to an optimal speed and altitude, where it glides towards its target at over Mach 5, performing maneuvers to complicate interception. Launched from a B-52H bomber, the ARRW integrates a kinetic energy projectile to engage high-value or time-sensitive targets, such as enemy strategic infrastructures. With an unpredictable trajectory and high altitude, it complicates defense systems, enhancing its effectiveness in anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) zones.
To ensure precision and mitigate risks during real-world tests, Lockheed Martin has applied agile testing techniques, including wind tunnel tests for aerodynamic and thermal validation, critical for withstanding extreme temperatures at hypersonic speeds. The program has conducted tests in varied conditions to ensure full compatibility with its aircraft and enhanced operational robustness against modern threats.
In March 2024, an AGM-183A missile was launched from a B-52 near Guam, in what was perceived as a show of strength toward North Korea, which conducted its own hypersonic glide vehicle test shortly afterward. Despite initial promise, uneven test results and technical challenges led the Air Force to consider alternatives, notably air-breathing hypersonic cruise missiles, which are simpler to develop. Speculation suggests that the recent funding might support a more conservative follow-up design, facilitating a potential operational deployment.
A B-52H Stratofortress assigned to the 419th Flight Test Squadron takes off from Edwards Air Force Base, California, Aug. 8 2020 (Picture source: US DoD)
Hypersonic missiles like the AGM-183A generally fall into two categories: hypersonic glide vehicles (HGVs) and hypersonic cruise missiles. HGVs are propelled to high altitudes before gliding toward their target, while hypersonic cruise missiles use high-speed engines throughout their flight, complicating interception with complex flight paths. These capabilities offer a strategic advantage by reducing response times for defense systems and making trajectory prediction challenging, a particular obstacle for existing anti-missile systems.
The Air Force’s 2025 budget indicates that the remaining ARRW funds will be used to finalize contracts, compile documentation, and gather data for future hypersonic technology development. Concurrently, additional funds might go to the Tactical Boost Glide (TBG) program, a joint DARPA-Air Force project that explores similar hypersonic glide technology. Initially, a precursor to ARRW, TBG has contributed to its development, and some elements could form the foundation for future naval launch systems, an area of interest for DARPA and the U.S. Navy.
The Air Force is also advancing another hypersonic missile program, the Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile (HACM), in partnership with Australia. Developed by Raytheon with a Northrop Grumman scramjet engine, the HACM aims to offer greater tactical flexibility to air forces, enabling F-15E Strike Eagles and F/A-18F Super Hornets to target high-priority strategic objectives. With an operational range of approximately 1,900 km (1,000 nautical miles) and a maximum speed of Mach 8 (around 9,800 km/h), the HACM is designed to follow complex trajectories, making interception more difficult.
Developed by Raytheon with a Northrop Grumman scramjet engine, the HACM aims to offer greater tactical flexibility to air forces, enabling F-15E Strike Eagles and F/A-18F Super Hornets to target high-priority strategic objectives (Picture source: Raytheon)
The HACM’s first tests are expected soon, with a limited operational capacity planned for 2027. This program has seen increased funding, with $382 million allocated for fiscal year 2024 and $1.5 billion projected through 2028. The focus on HACM reflects a shift in priorities toward air-breathing hypersonic missiles, which are easier to deploy and maintain than hypersonic glide vehicles like the ARRW.
The development of hypersonic missiles represents a strategic priority for the United States, as these weapons offer unique capabilities in terms of speed, range, and maneuverability, surpassing current missile defense technologies. Indeed, against adversaries like China and Russia, which deploy anti-access and area-denial (A2/AD) systems to limit U.S. military influence in key regions, hypersonic missiles allow the United States to maintain a rapid and precise strike capability.