US Air Force refuses to buy AGM-183A ARRW hypersonic missiles despite billions of dollars investment in the project

The US Air Force has decided not to purchase the AGM-183A Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW) hypersonic missile. It was announced by Andrew Hunter, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, before the House Armed Services Committee.

Here's What We Know

On 13 March, the US Air Force conducted a second test of the fully operational AGM-183A ARRW prototype. The test ended in failure. After that it was reported that the authorities might stop funding the project.

Despite refusing to acquire hypersonic missiles, the US Air Force intends to conduct two comprehensive tests of the AGM-183A ARRW. The service wants to gather more information that could be useful in other hypersonic projects.

Lockheed Martin was awarded the debut AGM-183A ARRW development contract for $480 million in 2018, which was expanded to $986 million in December 2019. Over the past two years, the US Air Force has invested over $400 million more in the project, and Pentagon requests $150m to complete development of hypersonic missile AGM-183A ARRW for fiscal 2024 (FY).

The US Department of Defense has conducted two tests of the AGM-183A ARRW combat prototypes. The first took place in December and was "very successful". Failure of the second test will force the US Air Force to switch to the Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile (HACM). This programme is seen by the authorities as more attractive. Nearly $2 billion will be invested in it by FY2028.

Source: Defence News