The test’s results could determine the ultimate fate of the Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon, or at least help “further a range of hypersonic programs.”
By Michael MarrowAir Force Secretary Frank Kendall last year said the service was “more committed” to the Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile than the service’s other fast-flying design, the Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon.
By Michael Marrow“We’re very, very fixated on being competitive with the pacing challenge [of China],” said Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall. “I think the budget that we’ve submitted moves us forward — not quite as fast as we would like to, but it moves us forward in the right direction while maintaining current capabilities that are essential to the nation.”
By Michael MarrowThe Air Force fired another all-up round test of the Lockheed Martin-made ARRW, but like a previous test that a top official later admitted fell short of its goals, the service won’t claim that this test met all its objectives.
By Michael MarrowDespite confidence from the Air Force secretary that Congress would greenlight the F-22 divestments, lawmakers are once again inclined to keep the fighters around.
By Michael MarrowAir Force Secretary Frank Kendall told lawmakers Thursday that the service will make a decision on buying the hypersonic weapon after its prototyping phase concludes, a position seemingly at odds with testimony previously provided by the service’s acquisition lead.
By Michael MarrowThe news comes after the Air Force’s top civilian revealed Tuesday that the missile’s most recent all-up-round test “was not successful” but stopped short of saying the service wouldn’t buy it.
By Michael MarrowFollowing a recent disclosure by the Air Force that suggested the new hypersonic missile came up short during testing, Secretary Frank Kendall told lawmakers the service was “more committed” to another hypersonic program.
By Michael MarrowAn Air Force press release said that the missile was launched in a second all-up-round test and met “several objectives,” but conspicuously left out claims of overall success.
By Michael MarrowThe test could pave the way for ARRW to be put into production by its manufacturer Lockheed Martin as early as fiscal 2024 — if the weapon’s capabilities can overcome the reservations of certain top Air Force leaders, that is.
By Valerie Insinna“You obviously don’t wouldn’t buy something that doesn’t work. But even if it does work, it’s got to be it’s got to be the right contribution to the overall weapons mix,” said Andrew Hunter, the Air Force’s acquisition executive.
By Valerie InsinnaThe Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile program, although nascent, is “going pretty well,” program executive Brig. Gen. Heath Collins told Breaking Defense in an exclusive interview.
By Valerie InsinnaIn the FY22 omnibus spending bill revealed by Congress today, appropriators halved funding for the Air Force’s flagship hypersonic missile program.
By Valerie Insinna