US Air Force Achieves Milestone with Final Test of AGM-183A ARRW Hypersonic Missile.

In a recent report by "Defense News" dated March 19, 2024, the U.S. Air Force has completed the final testing phase of its cutting-edge AGM-183 ARRW (Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon) hypersonic missile. According to details shared by an Air Force spokesperson, a B-52H Stratofortress bomber executed the critical all-up round test of the fully operational ARRW prototype after departing from Andersen Air Force Base in Guam. This significant test took place at the Reagan Test Site, a key Army testing facility located in the Marshall Islands.
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A US Air Force B-52H Stratofortress strategic bomber carries the AGM-183A Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon Instrumented Measurement Vehicle 2 at the Point Mugu Sea Range off the Southern California coast.(Picture source U.S. Air Force)

The AGM-183A, known as the Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW), represents a significant advancement in the United States' hypersonic capabilities. This weapon system, developed by Lockheed Martin for the U.S. Air Force, aims to enhance the Air Force's ability to conduct rapid, long-range strikes against high-value, heavily defended targets. The development of the AGM-183A is a response to the evolving nature of global threats and the advancements in anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) capabilities by potential adversaries.

Hypersonic weapons like the AGM-183A are capable of traveling at speeds greater than Mach 5, which is five times faster than the speed of sound. This high speed, combined with the weapon's maneuverability and altitude, makes it challenging for current defense systems to intercept. The AGM-183A utilizes a boost-glide trajectory, where a rocket booster accelerates the missile to hypersonic speeds, after which it glides towards its target, enabling it to strike with unprecedented speed and precision.

A hypersonic missile operates at speeds of Mach 5 or faster, making it at least five times the speed of sound. This class of missile encompasses cutting-edge military technology, notable for its exceptional velocity, maneuverability, and the ability to fly at varying altitudes, which collectively pose a significant challenge to existing missile defense systems.

Hypersonic missiles are categorized mainly into hypersonic glide vehicles (HGVs) and hypersonic cruise missiles. HGVs are launched to high altitudes via rockets before gliding down to their targets at hypersonic speeds, leveraging high speeds and maneuverability to evade defenses. In contrast, hypersonic cruise missiles are powered by high-speed engines throughout their flight, enabling them to maintain lower altitudes and follow complex flight paths, further complicating interception efforts.

The combat capabilities of hypersonic missiles provide several strategic advantages. Their high speed significantly reduces the time defenders have to detect, track, and engage the incoming threat, making these missiles particularly suitable for striking time-sensitive or heavily defended targets. Additionally, their ability to maneuver at high speeds complicates prediction of their flight path, reducing the effectiveness of current missile defense systems. The altitude at which some hypersonic missiles operate, particularly HGVs during their glide phase, places them at the edge of or within the upper atmosphere, presenting challenges for radar detection and interception.

The incorporation of the AGM-183A into the U.S. military arsenal aims to provide a strategic advantage, allowing the United States to penetrate through sophisticated enemy defenses and engage critical targets quickly and with a high degree of accuracy. Its development underscores the United States' commitment to maintaining a technological edge in modern warfare and its adaptability to emerging threats.

Defense News March 2024