The United States Air Force reports a successful test of a weapon capable of moving at speeds five times that of sound, according to official channels. The test occurred on a Saturday at Edwards Air Force Base along the California coast, as part of the ARRW program. During the exercise, a B-52H bomber released an AGM-183A hypersonic launch vehicle for evaluation.
After deploying from the aircraft, the ARRW booster ignited and burned as anticipated, reaching hypersonic velocity and achieving speeds five times greater than the speed of sound. The Air Force described the event as a milestone to be celebrated, noting that the test proceeded without issues and that steps are being taken to provide this advanced capability to U.S. military personnel as promptly as possible.
Hypersonic missiles are defined by speeds of at least five times the speed of sound, which equates to roughly 6,120 kilometers per hour depending on atmospheric conditions.
Specific flight duration, altitude, and other technical parameters were not disclosed by the service.
General Heath Collins, the program manager for ARRW, called the test a major success. Statements from the Air Force emphasized flawless execution and a commitment to delivering the weapon to the armed forces in a timely manner. Lieutenant Colonel Michael Jungquist, who led the launch teams, expressed pride in the milestone and acknowledged the team’s rigorous training and preparation that underpinned the achievement.
Before this success, the program had encountered several setbacks. Through the spring of 2021, the missile underwent three prior flight tests that did not meet expectations. The initial test in April 2021 failed to launch from a bomber, the second attempt in July of the following year saw the rocket detach but the propulsion system failed to ignite, and a December test was halted by an unidentified issue that prevented the launch from lifting off. These difficulties led to a reduction in funding for the program in the 2022 and 2023 budget requests, even as defense officials maintained that hypersonic weapons of this type offer strategic advantages in terms of speed and operational feasibility.
ARRW, short for Air Launched Rapid Response Weapon, is designed to engage both land targets and maritime vessels. Technical descriptions indicate a solid-fuel booster with a retractable tail and a warhead that detaches in flight, allowing the seeker-equipped, maneuverable payload to hit its programmed point. The aircraft simply releases the launch vehicle, accelerates to hypersonic speed, and climbs into the atmosphere before the warhead separates and proceeds on a hypersonic trajectory toward the target.
Among the most notable benefits of hypersonic systems are their heightened maneuverability and ability to follow seemingly unpredictable flight paths. These weapons can leverage advanced guidance and sometimes homing capabilities to counter evasive actions by targets that shift position during the flight time, complicating defense efforts.
Public attention to U.S. hypersonic development intensified in 2020 when a high-profile statement from the presidency signaled ongoing investments in this class of systems. The objective was described as building a missile capable of immense speed and extended reach, though specific design details were not disclosed at the time. Media discussions during that period speculated about various weapons programs, with the AGM-183A often cited in analyses as a leading candidate for such capabilities.
Global activity in hypersonics has been robust, with both China and Russia advancing programs in parallel. Historical milestones include China’s initial hypersonic-related tests in 2014 and Russia’s demonstrations in 2016, reflecting a broad international emphasis on rapid, survivable strike options.
In recent developments, Russia publicly highlighted demonstrations of hypersonic weapons amid broader military operations. The defense ministry reported use of a hypersonic system during actions in Ukraine, stating that missiles traveled over long distances and arrived at targets within minutes, underscoring a continued emphasis on rapid-fire, long-range capabilities. These disclosures contribute to a global landscape in which hypersonic technology is a focal point of strategic competition and defense planning, influencing doctrine and procurement decisions across multiple nations. [citation]
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