U.S. Air Force tests first full-fledged prototype hypersonic missile AGM-1483A ARRW - a strategic bomber B-52H Stratofortress was used for the launch

At the end of last week, the first tests of the full-fledged prototype hypersonic missile AGM-183A ARRW (Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon) took place in the United States.

Here's What We Know

On December 3 we wrote that the Air Force began training the B-52H Stratofortress strategic bomber to launch the missile. The test took place on December 9 off the coast of Southern California, but it became known only three days after the U.S. Air Force press release.

The U.S. had already conducted several tests of the AGM-183A ARRW, but all of them were aimed at testing the rocket booster. Some of them ended in failure. For example, in April 2021, the missile did not even separate from the aircraft, and in December the situation repeated itself. In between these events there was another unsuccessful test, when the engine failed during the ARRW launch.

During another test conducted by the 412th Test Wing at Edwards Air Force Base on Dec. 9, the missile was able to successfully separate from the launch vehicle. In flight, the AGM-183A ARRW achieved more than five times the speed of sound (343 m/s).

Source: Air Force