U.S.A.F. Tests Hypersonic ARRW Five Months after Failure

The U.S. Air Force on Saturday test-fired a prototype hypersonic AGM-183A Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW) after a hiatus following its failure in March.

The service said in a statement Aug.21 that a B-52H Stratofortress released a full operational prototype ARRW, known as an all-up round, off the coast of Southern California.

The Air Force said it gained “valuable” new insights into the capabilities of the missile but did not say whether it considered the test a success. “While we won’t discuss specific test objectives, this test acquired valuable, unique data and was intended to further a range of programs such as ARRW and Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile (HACM),” the statement said. “We also validated and improved our test and evaluation capabilities for continued development of advanced hypersonic systems.”

The ARRW was supposed to be the U.S. military's first hypersonic weapon to reach operational status. A successful test happened in December, with a peak velocity five times the speed of sound, following several failed efforts.

U.S.A.F. secretary Frank Kendall said the service won’t be buying the ARRW following the failed March test. The Air Force said it will still finish the program’s last two all-up round test flights to collect data to help with future hypersonic programs.