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AGM-183A ARRW
A prototype AGM-183A is pictured carried by a U.S. Air Force B-52 in a June 2019 test.
Place of originUnited States
Service history
Used byUnited States (Anticipated)
Production history
ManufacturerLockheed Martin
Specifications

Maximum speed Mach 20
Launch
platform
B-1B (Theorized)

The AGM-183A ARRW (air launched rapid response weapon) is a prototype hypersonic weapon planned for use by the United States Air Force. Developed by Lockheed Martin, the missile has a reported maximum speed of Mach 20. It has been theorized to be the "Super-Duper Missile" referred to by President of the United States Donald Trump during a May 2020 press availability.

History

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Development and acquisition

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In August 2018 the U.S. Air Force awarded a $480 million contract to Lockheed Martin for the development of an air-launched hypersonic weapon.[1] The resulting missile, the AGM-183A ARRW ("Arrow"), underwent an initial captive carry flight test aboard a U.S. Air Force B-52 in June 2019.[1]

In February 2020, the Trump Administration proposed a 23 percent increase in funding for hypersonic weapons and, the same month, the U.S. Air Force announced it had decided to move forward with acquisition of the AGM-183A.[2][3]

In March 2020, Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Michael D. Griffin stated that the United States was "close at hand" to having a hypersonic boost-glide weapon ready to field.[4]

Theorized relation to the "Super-Duper Missile"

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A "Super-Duper Missile "was announced by President of the United States Donald Trump during a press availability in the Oval Office on 15 May 2020.[5][6] According to Trump, the Super-Duper Missile is 17 times faster than existing missiles in the United States arsenal, however, Kingston Reif of the Arms Control Association believes the claim may have been a misstatement.[7][8][9] Nick Schifrin has theorized that the Super-Duper Missile is, in fact, the AGM-183A, as has the China Times.[10][11]

Design and performance

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According to Popular Mechanics, the U.S. Air Force is considering using the remaining fleet of B-1Bs as AGM-183 firing platforms.

The AGM-183A has a maximum speed of 15,345 miles per hour.[12]

The weapon uses a boost-glide system, in which it is propelled to hypersonic speed by a rocket on which it's mounted before gliding towards a target.[2] According to Popular Mechanics, the U.S. Air Force was, as of April 2020, considering using the remaining fleet of B-1B bombers as AGM-183A firing platforms, with each aircraft carrying up to 31 of the weapons mounted internally and on external pylons.[12]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Pawlyk, Oriana (June 18, 2019). "In First, Air Force Flies Hypersonic Missile Prototype on B-52 Bomber". military.com. Retrieved May 23, 2020.
  2. ^ a b Tirpak, John (March 2, 2020). "Roper: The ARRW Hypersonic Missile Better Option for USAF". Air Force Magazine. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
  3. ^ Sanger, David E. (February 10, 2020). "Trump Budget Calls for New Nuclear Warheads and 2 Types of Missiles". New York Times. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
  4. ^ Harper, Jon (March 4, 2020). "JUST IN: Pentagon to Spend Billions Mass-Producing Hypersonic Weapons". National Defense Magazine. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
  5. ^ Pickrell, Ryan (May 15, 2020). "Trump says the US is building a 'super-duper missile' that is much faster than anything it has now". Business Insider. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
  6. ^ Johnson, Marty (May 16, 2020). "Trump touts new 'super-duper' missile that can allegedly travel 17 times faster than current missiles". The Hill. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
  7. ^ Choi, David (May 19, 2020). "Trump's boasts about 'super-duper' missiles reflect misunderstanding of what those weapons actually do". Business Insider. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  8. ^ Browne, Ryan (May 16, 2020). "Trump touts new 'super duper' missile but Pentagon won't confirm details". CNN. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
  9. ^ "Trump says US developing a 'super duper missile'". Times of Israel. Associated Press. May 16, 2020. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
  10. ^ Schifrin, Nick. "For those interested, the aforementioned super duper missile AGM-183 Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon hypersonic". @nickschifrin. Twitter. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
  11. ^ "川普:美國將有「超級飛彈」速度超乎想像". China Times (in Chinese). May 18, 2020. Retrieved May 18, 2020.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  12. ^ a b Mizokami, Kyle (April 9, 2020). "The B-1 Bomber Might Start Slinging Hypersonic Missiles". Popular Mechanics. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
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