In brief

• The US Air Force signed a $694 million contract with Lockheed Martin for production of the hypersonic AGM-183A ARRW missile.
• Officials say the contract moves the weapon from testing, which began in 2019, into serial manufacturing.
• The Air Force says the missile can overcome the most advanced air defense systems.

Contract moves hypersonic missile toward production

The US Air Force has signed a $694 million contract with Lockheed Martin for the operational production and fielding of hypersonic strike missiles (Армія США закуповує нові гіперзвукові ракети, які здатні обходити майже будь-яке ППО – UNIAN). The deal covers the AGM-183A Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon, known as ARRW, which is designed to be launched from aircraft.

Testing since 2019

Air Force Secretary Troy Meink said the contract would take the missile out of the testing phase and into serial manufacturing. A prototype of the AGM-183A was first shown during trials in 2019, and flight testing has continued since then.

Capability against air defenses

Meink said such missiles can overcome the most advanced air defense systems. Air Force Chief of Staff General Ken Wilsbach has also said ARRW expands the service's options for strikes against well-defended targets. Under the contract, Lockheed Martin will begin producing the missile for military use.

Contract figures

| Item | Value | |---|---| | Contract value to Lockheed Martin | $694 million | | Testing start | 2019 |