Northrop Grumman has been awarded $705m to develop an advanced SiAW missile for the fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighters

The US Air Force has selected Northrop Grumman as the developer of a new missile for the fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighter. The company will develop a weapon called SiAW (Stand-in Attack Weapon).

Here's What We Know

The second phase of the programme is focused on prototyping the missile and achieving initial operational capability by 2026. The contract value was $705 million. Northrop Grumman was competing with L3Harris, which decided to drop out of the programme. Lockheed Martin had earlier dropped out of the race.

Before the SiAW is put into service, the US Air Force intends to purchase long-range AARGM-ER (Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile-Extended Range) anti-radar missiles from Northrop Grumman. Unlike the AARGM-ER, the SiAW will be used to destroy a wider range of ground targets, including launchers.

The U.S. Air Force intends to procure 400 missiles by fiscal year 2028, and the service is poised to purchase up to 3,000 missiles in total. The total cost will be approximately $8.4bn. Which aircraft other than the F-35 Lightning II will carry the SiAW is not specified at this time.

Source: Northrop Grumman