US Air Force seeks USD500 million for hypersonics research

A computer rendering of the HACM. (Raytheon)

The US Air Force (USAF) requested USD500 million for hypersonic weapons research and development in fiscal year (FY) 2024, the same amount as the previous year.

Roughly USD150 million would be used to further develop the Lockheed MartinAGM-183A Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW), a boost-glide system that in December 2022 saw its first successful launch following three failed tests. The USAF plans to conduct four additional ‘all-up round' test shots of the completed missile during FY 2024.

The ARRW was initially scheduled to enter service in 2023,but the USAF said that has been delayed. “The ARRW production decision remains event-driven and will occur after operational utility is demonstrated through successful [test flights] and a system production readiness review,” the service told Janes. “Additionally, the [USAF] will need to look at our weapons mix and see if [the] ARRW falls within the requirements.”

Approximately USD350 million will go to the Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile (HACM), an operationally focused development of the experimental scramjet-powered US-Australia Southern Cross Integrated Flight Research Experiment (SCIFiRE). A joint Raytheon/Northrop Grumman team was downselected in September 2022 to build the HACM.

Like the ARRW, “the HACM production decision remains event-driven and will occur following a production readiness review”, the USAF told Janes. The service plans to field the first HACMs in 2027.