User:Chetsford/agm
| 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 origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| Used by | United States (Anticipated) |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Lockheed 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
[edit]Development and acquisition
[edit]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"
[edit]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
[edit]
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
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ 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.
- ^ a b Tirpak, John (March 2, 2020). "Roper: The ARRW Hypersonic Missile Better Option for USAF". Air Force Magazine. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Harper, Jon (March 4, 2020). "JUST IN: Pentagon to Spend Billions Mass-Producing Hypersonic Weapons". National Defense Magazine. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Browne, Ryan (May 16, 2020). "Trump touts new 'super duper' missile but Pentagon won't confirm details". CNN. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
- ^ "Trump says US developing a 'super duper missile'". Times of Israel. Associated Press. May 16, 2020. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
- ^ Schifrin, Nick. "For those interested, the aforementioned super duper missile AGM-183 Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon hypersonic". @nickschifrin. Twitter. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
- ^ "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) - ^ a b Mizokami, Kyle (April 9, 2020). "The B-1 Bomber Might Start Slinging Hypersonic Missiles". Popular Mechanics. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
