US Air Force fails final test of hypersonic AGM-183A ARRW missile on B-52H Stratofortress nuclear-powered bomber

On 13 March 2023, the US Air Force conducted another test of a hypersonic missile. It is learnt that the test ended in failure.

Here's What We Know

The US Air Force is working on an air-to-ground missile that can reach speeds in excess of Mach 5 (6174km/h). It is called the AGM-183A Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW). The service has requested $150 million to complete the project.

A B-52H Stratofortress nuclear-powered bomber is taking part in the test. In December 2022, the US Air Force tested an operational prototype hypersonic missile for the first time. The test, conducted on March 13, 2023, was the second in which an operational prototype was used.

Initially, the US Air Force said it had achieved several targets and said it would not comment further on the test. A few days later, however, the service admitted that the second test was unsuccessful.

US Air Force spokesman Frank Kendall did not elaborate on what caused the failure. He only noted that experts were unable to obtain the necessary data during the test and are now working on the errors. However, Kendall described the December test as "very successful" and a "big step forward."

Source: Defence News