Pentagon requests $150m to complete development of hypersonic missile AGM-183A ARRW

The US Air Force is finalising work on an airborne hypersonic missile. The Pentagon has requested $150 million from Congress before reaching the final straightaway.

Here's What We Know

The Department of Defense wants $150 million in fiscal year 2024. This amount will fund the development of the hypersonic missile and the four remaining tests of the advanced munition.

The development of the AGM-183A Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW) has not gone smoothly. The first test of the hypersonic missile took place in the summer of 2019, but did not involve dropping the mockup from a B-52H Stratofortress aircraft.

The problems began in 2021. Until then, the US Air Force had conducted six flight tests. In April, the missile failed to launch. In July, the AGM-183 ARRW was able to separate from the B-52H suspension, but the engine failed to start. In December, the missile again failed to leave the bomber for an unknown reason.

The US Air Force tested the ARRW twice in 2022, both times successfully. The most recent test so far took place on December 9 at Edwards Base. A B-52H bomber launched the missile and it was able to reach a speed of 6174 km/ (M=5).