U.S. Military Seeks to Restart AGM-183A Hypersonic Missile Program After Year-Long Halt

Washington D.C. – In a move signaling renewed urgency in the hypersonic arms race, the U.S. Air Force is considering resurrecting the AGM-183A Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW) program, just over a year after its initial termination. The potential revival, as reported by Defense News, suggests a shift in strategy driven by concerns over advancements made by China and Russia in hypersonic technology.

Air Force Chief of Staff General David Allvin revealed the service’s intentions during a recent hearing before the House Armed Services Committee. He indicated that the Air Force plans to request funding for both the Hypersonic Conventional Strike Weapon (HCSW), referring to the ARRW, and the Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile (HACM) in the fiscal year 2026 budget proposal.

We are seeking two different hypersonic programs in the budget request – assuming it is what we previously submitted, General Allvin stated. He differentiated the ARRW as a larger, more strategic, longer-range weapon that has undergone multiple tests, while also highlighting the HACM program.

Air Force acquisition leadership aims to transition both advanced hypersonic weapons and hypersonic conventional missiles from the research and development phase to the procurement phase in the near future, signaling a commitment to fielding operational hypersonic capabilities.

We are accelerating not only in the technology development but accelerating in the acquisition of the capability that technology will bring, Allvin emphasized.

Echoing this sentiment, Air Force Secretary Troy Meinke told lawmakers during the same hearing that the focus must now shift to cost reduction and production as the Air Force has matured its hypersonic technology.

It has to be affordable, Meinke asserted. We have to be able to afford more than 10 of these missiles. The focus now is on increasing production and driving down costs so that we can get enough of the kits to actually make a difference.

The AGM-183A, developed by Lockheed Martin, is a boost-glide hypersonic missile designed to reach speeds of up to Mach 20 and a range of 1,000 miles. It is intended to be launched from aircraft such as the F-15EX, B-52H, and B-1B bombers, enabling them to strike high-value, time-sensitive targets deep within enemy territory. Unlike some other hypersonic weapons, the AGM-183A is designed to glide throughout its flight path, remaining outside the Earth’s atmosphere.

The impetus behind the potential ARRW revival stems from growing anxieties within the U.S. government regarding China and Russia’s significant investments and advancements in hypersonic technology. Russia’s reported use of hypersonic weapons in the Ukraine conflict has further amplified these concerns, placing increased pressure on the U.S. military to accelerate its own hypersonic development efforts.

Despite Lockheed Martin’s ambitious goals, the AGM-183A program has faced challenges during its testing phase, including multiple failed test flights. The program was initially cancelled due to these issues and a shift in focus towards the HACM program. However, the renewed interest suggests a recognition of the need for a diverse portfolio of hypersonic weapons to counter perceived threats from rival nations.

The decision to potentially revive the AGM-183A program underscores the escalating global competition in hypersonic weapons development. Whether the program will ultimately succeed in delivering a reliable and affordable hypersonic capability remains to be seen, but the Air Force’s renewed commitment signals a determination to remain competitive in this critical technological arena.

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