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AGM-183 ARRW

Lockheed Martin · Air-to-Surface · USA · Digital Age (2010–present)

AGM-183 ARRW — Air-to-Surface
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The AGM-183 ARRW (Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon) was an American hypersonic boost-glide weapon — Lockheed Martin's USAF entrant + one of two US high-speed missile programmes under development through the early 2020s. Lockheed Martin developed the ARRW in 2018-2023 under a US Air Force contract; cancelled March 2023 after repeated flight-test failures. About 12 ARRWs were built for flight tests. The programme never reached production status.

The ARRW used a 2-stage configuration: a rocket booster + a hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV). After release from a B-52H at altitude, the booster accelerated the HGV to Mach 5+ + boosted it to ~30 km altitude. The HGV then separated + glided unpowered to a target at extended range. Estimated range: 1,600 km. The HGV manoeuvred during glide, allowing terminal-phase trajectory shaping that complicated ABM interception. Length 5.9 m, weight 2,720 kg. Warhead: ~150 kg HE-fragmentation.

ARRW flight tests began December 2021 with the first all-up booster-HGV test failing to separate. Subsequent tests in 2022-2023 had mixed results — 4 of 7 tests were classified as successful, but the programme failed to demonstrate end-to-end mission performance. In March 2023 the US Air Force cancelled the ARRW + transferred funding to the Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile (HACM, an air-breathing scramjet weapon under Raytheon + Northrop Grumman). The ARRW cancellation was a blow to Lockheed Martin's high-speed-weapons line + a signal that the US Air Force preferred air-breathing scramjet hypersonics over boost-glide for its primary inventory.

For Kids — a shorter, friendlier version

The AGM-183 ARRW (Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon) was an American hypersonic missile project. Lockheed Martin developed it from 2018 to 2023 for the American Air Force. About 12 ARRWs were built for flight tests. The program was cancelled in March 2023 after many failed tests.

The ARRW is 19 feet long and weighs 6,000 pounds, smaller than a school bus. It has two stages: a rocket booster that launches the missile, and a hypersonic glide vehicle that flies the last part on its own. Top speed is Mach 5 plus, faster than a rifle bullet. The ARRW could fly about 1,000 miles to its target.

The ARRW was meant to fly off a B-52H bomber. The rocket booster pushed the glide vehicle up to about 60,000 feet at hypersonic speed. The glide vehicle then separated and flew the rest of the way without an engine. It could change direction during glide, making it hard for enemies to stop.

The ARRW had many flight test problems. The first all-up test in December 2021 failed when the booster did not work. Later tests in 2022 and 2023 had mixed results. The Air Force cancelled the ARRW in March 2023 and switched to a scramjet missile called HACM instead. The ARRW cancellation was a big setback for American hypersonic weapons.

Fun Facts

  • The AGM-183 ARRW was an American hypersonic missile project.
  • The ARRW is 19 feet long, smaller than a school bus.
  • Top speed is Mach 5 plus, faster than a rifle bullet.
  • The ARRW could fly about 1,000 miles to its target.
  • About 12 ARRWs were built for flight tests.
  • The program was cancelled in March 2023 after many failed tests.
  • The Air Force switched to a scramjet missile called HACM instead.

Kids’ Questions

What is boost-glide?

Boost-glide means a rocket booster pushes the weapon high and fast, then the weapon glides the rest of the way without an engine. The ARRW's booster pushed the glide vehicle to Mach 5 plus at 60,000 feet. The glide vehicle then steered itself to the target, like a paper airplane that travels 1,000 miles. The glide path is hard for enemies to predict.

Why did it fail?

Hypersonic flight is very hard. At Mach 5 plus, the air rubbing against the missile heats it to thousands of degrees. Steering at that speed needs special materials and very fast computers. The ARRW had many problems in flight tests: boosters that did not work, glide vehicles that lost control. After 7 tests with mixed results, the Air Force decided to stop and try a different idea.

What is HACM?

HACM (Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile) is the new American hypersonic weapon, replacing the cancelled ARRW. HACM uses a scramjet engine that burns air taken in during flight, like a normal jet but at hypersonic speed. Raytheon and Northrop Grumman are building HACM for the American Air Force. First flight is planned for the late 2020s.

Variants

AGM-183A (cancelled)
Standard variant. 12 flight-test articles built. Cancelled 2023.

Notable Operators

US Air Force (cancelled 2023)
Programme cancelled before service entry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the US Air Force cancel the ARRW?

Three reasons. (1) Flight-test record — only 4 of 7 booster + HGV separation tests were classified as successful, with two consecutive failures in 2022 + early 2023 raising programme-completion risk. (2) Cost — programme estimates exceeded $1 billion + production unit cost was projected at ~$15 million per round (high for an air-launched weapon). (3) Mission fit — USAF analysis concluded that air-breathing scramjet hypersonics (HACM) would provide better range + lower cost-per-engagement than the boost-glide ARRW. The cancellation transferred funding to HACM (Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile, expected entry 2027) + left the US Army's LRHW + Navy's CPS as the remaining US boost-glide hypersonic programmes.

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