ARRW to undergo long-awaited first booster test
After repeated false starts, first test flight of AGM-183A Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon is scheduled for this month.
The Armament Directorate in the USAF Life Cycle Management Center announced on 5 March that the first booster test flight (BTF-1) of the AGM-183A Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW) is expected ‘in the next 30 days’.
The ARRW test missile was delivered to Edwards Air Force Base on 1 March for loading on a B-52H Stratofortress.
Work is under way on pre-flight ground tests ‘and checks to obtain certification for the flight to proceed as scheduled’, the USAF added.
BTF-1 was originally scheduled for December 2020 before being pushed back to the first week of March 2021. No official explanation was given as to why the test launch has been repeatedly delayed.
Meanwhile, the Materials and Manufacturing Directorate in the US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) awarded SpaceX an $8.5 million manufacturing research contract for hypersonic vehicle thermal shields.
‘The objective is to refine thermal protection system manufacturing technologies to enable low-cost, high volume production of next-generation thermal protection systems,’ according to the contract notice.
SpaceX is already expanding heat shield production facilities for its Starship reusable launch vehicle.
The AFRL aims to test additive manufacturing and other advanced techniques for hypersonic air and space vehicles, to see if they can shield them from the extreme heat generated in ballistic re-entry.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
You may also like
More from Air Warfare
-
![Boeing E-7A still in South Korean AEW&C competition, despite dropout reports]()
Boeing E-7A still in South Korean AEW&C competition, despite dropout reports
The E-7A is one of three aircraft submitted for the South Korean AEW&C II competition, which seeks to acquire four more aircraft of the type for its air force by 2028.
-
![France pushes for 80% workshare as FCAS programme nears critical development stage]()
France pushes for 80% workshare as FCAS programme nears critical development stage
Tensions on the programme have long simmered, with Airbus and Dassault recently clashing over workshare in June ahead of the Paris Air Show. The sixth-generation fighter programme is due to replace Rafale and Eurofighter Typhoon jets beginning in 2040.
-
![US Air Force conducts climate testing with the T-7A Red Hawk]()
US Air Force conducts climate testing with the T-7A Red Hawk
The trainer aircraft recently completed the second round of extreme weather trials after enduring icy, windy and sunny conditions.
-
![US Navy acquires additional anti-submarine warfare kits for P-8A Poseidon aircraft]()
US Navy acquires additional anti-submarine warfare kits for P-8A Poseidon aircraft
The contract modification, awarded to Boeing, is worth $61.2 million and will support the US Navy’s (USN's) evolution of its P-8 Poseidon aircraft as continued upgrades are made to boost its capabilities and lethality.
-
![Union slams “self-sabotage” of UK government over Typhoon production]()
Union slams “self-sabotage” of UK government over Typhoon production
The UK Ministry of Defence remains resolute that the Typhoon sits at the heart of the country’s air defence capabilities and is focused on the aircraft’s potential export orders, despite its continued focus on F-35 procurement.
