Lockheed Martin's Hypersonic Missile Passes Final Test, Signaling Shift in US Warfare StrategyUS Air Force Successfully Conducts Hypersonic Missile Test, Enhancing Defense Capabilities. Credit: newatlas.com

The US Air Force has successfully concluded its evaluation of the AGM-183A Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon, a hypersonic missile designed to outmaneuver traditional air defenses. The test was conducted on March 17, 2024 at the Reagan Test Site in the Marshall Islands, where the missile was released from a B-52H Stratofortress.

Hypersonic weapons, capable of reaching speeds over five times the speed of sound, are expected to bring a significant shift in warfare, similar to the impact of jet engines. However, the United States has been facing criticism for its lack of hypersonic capabilities, especially in comparison to Russia and China, who have already deployed their own versions.

This criticism was dampened by the failure of Russia's hypersonic attacks during its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Nevertheless, there is immense pressure on American defense contractors to develop a production missile, rather than just research prototypes.

The final flight test of the hypersonic missile, developed by Lockheed Martin, was a complete success. While the Air Force has not disclosed any specifics about the test, a representative from Defense News stated that valuable data was collected, enhancing the evaluation process and future development of hypersonic capabilities.

There are currently no plans for further testing of the AGM-183A ARRW and Congress has not allocated any funds for such purposes. This indicates that the program will likely shift towards producing a deployable missile with defined capabilities, reflecting its crucial role in US defense strategies.

Lockheed Martin, the company responsible for developing the hypersonic missile, expressed confidence in the capabilities of the ARRW and their readiness to deliver a fully qualified, hypersonic solution to the Air Force. With their industry-leading technology and successful testing, they are well-positioned to provide additional hypersonic-strike assets that can be swiftly deployed to the military.

Source: newatlas.com
David Lamy
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David Lamy owns the Bachelor in Atmospheric Science Degree. He is associated with Industry News USA from last 2 years. With proficiency in his work, David obtained a strong position at Industry News USA and heads the Science section. “Weather forecasting” is the field of his interest. He bags total 5 years of experience in this field. Apart from his routine work, David loves to explore his cooking skills. He has participated in various cookery shows.