Air Force conducts final test of ARRW hypersonic missile, won’t discuss ‘specific’ results

Air Force conducts final test of ARRW hypersonic missile, won’t discuss ‘specific’ results
Air Force conducts final test of ARRW hypersonic missile, won’t discuss ‘specific’ results

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.”

Air Force moves out on hypersonic cruise missile flight testing in FY25

Air Force moves out on hypersonic cruise missile flight testing in FY25
Air Force moves out on hypersonic cruise missile flight testing in FY25

Air 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.

Air Force wants to retire 250 aircraft as part of $188B FY25 budget request

Air Force wants to retire 250 aircraft as part of $188B FY25 budget request
Air Force wants to retire 250 aircraft as part of $188B FY25 budget request

“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.”

Air Force won’t say whether newest ARRW test succeeded, echoing past failure

Air Force won’t say whether newest ARRW test succeeded, echoing past failure
Air Force won’t say whether newest ARRW test succeeded, echoing past failure

The 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.

House authorizers would block F-22 divestments, end funding for ARRW hypersonic program

House authorizers would block F-22 divestments, end funding for ARRW hypersonic program
House authorizers would block F-22 divestments, end funding for ARRW hypersonic program

Despite confidence from the Air Force secretary that Congress would greenlight the F-22 divestments, lawmakers are once again inclined to keep the fighters around.

Air Force cracks open door on hypersonic ARRW, weeks after indicating it was shut

Air Force cracks open door on hypersonic ARRW, weeks after indicating it was shut
Air Force cracks open door on hypersonic ARRW, weeks after indicating it was shut

Air 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.

Broken ARRW: Air Force to ditch troubled hypersonic missile

Broken ARRW: Air Force to ditch troubled hypersonic missile
Broken ARRW: Air Force to ditch troubled hypersonic missile

The 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.

Air Force Secretary takes dim view of ARRW hypersonic missile after latest unsuccessful test

Air Force Secretary takes dim view of ARRW hypersonic missile after latest unsuccessful test
Air Force Secretary takes dim view of ARRW hypersonic missile after latest unsuccessful test

Following 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.

Air Force mum on whether latest ARRW hypersonic test was successful

Air Force mum on whether latest ARRW hypersonic test was successful
Air Force mum on whether latest ARRW hypersonic test was successful

An 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.

Air Force’s future spending outlook shows big jumps for new, marquee weapons

Air Force’s future spending outlook shows big jumps for new, marquee weapons
Air Force’s future spending outlook shows big jumps for new, marquee weapons

Seeking to pivot to a new generation of air power by fielding platforms like the Next Generation Air Dominance Fighter, the Air Force is planning significant investments into future technologies, according to service budget documents, which also show that fiscal 2024 could be a turning point for hypersonics.

Air Force successfully tests first fully-operational air-launched hypersonic missile

Air Force successfully tests first fully-operational air-launched hypersonic missile
Air Force successfully tests first fully-operational air-launched hypersonic missile

The 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.

On heels of successful hypersonic test, Air Force acquisition exec is still skeptical

On heels of successful hypersonic test, Air Force acquisition exec is still skeptical
On heels of successful hypersonic test, Air Force acquisition exec is still skeptical

“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.

Air Force to name newest hypersonic weapon maker by September

Air Force to name newest hypersonic weapon maker by September
Air Force to name newest hypersonic weapon maker by September

The Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile program, although nascent, is “going pretty well,” program executive Brig. Gen. Heath Collins told Breaking Defense in an exclusive interview.

Air Force can’t buy its first hypersonic ARRW as planned, following budget cut

Air Force can’t buy its first hypersonic ARRW as planned, following budget cut
Air Force can’t buy its first hypersonic ARRW as planned, following budget cut

In the FY22 omnibus spending bill revealed by Congress today, appropriators halved funding for the Air Force’s flagship hypersonic missile program.