The B-52H Stratofortress nuclear bomber tests the AGM-183A ARRW hypersonic missile prototype for the second time

In December 2022, the US Air Force first tested a hypersonic missile combat prototype with a B-52H Stratofortress aircraft. The second test was completed a few days ago.

Here's What We Know

The US Air Force is working on a hypersonic missile called the AGM-183A Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW). The service wants $150 million from the budget in fiscal year 2024 to complete the programme.

The second test of the fully operational AGM-183A ARRW prototype took place on 13 March 2023, some three months after the first test (9 December 2022). This time the US Air Force was very succinct in a press release on the results of the test.

The service stated that several targets were achieved during the test. No details were specified. That said, after the December test, the US Air Force reported that all targets had been met. But this is not the only wording that differs.

The December press release stated that the B-52H successfully launched the ARRW missile, and in flight it reached a speed of Mach 5 (6174km/h). The new statement does not mention the hypersonic missile launch at all.

Engineers from the ARRW team are gathering information for further analysis. The AGM-183A ARRW hypersonic missile test was conducted at Edwards Air Force Base, California, by the 412th Test Wing.

The US Air Force said it would not provide additional information beyond what is stated in the press release. A Pentagon spokesman later added that less hypersonic test data would be available in the future for security reasons.

Source: Defence News