What Happened
Pentagon Revives ARRW Program After Years of Development Challenges
The US Air Force has awarded Lockheed Martin a $694 million contract to move the AGM-183A Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW) into production, reviving a hypersonic missile program previously shelved after a series of test failures. The ARRW is designed to be launched from Air Force aircraft and travel at hypersonic speeds, providing combatant commanders with a high-speed strike weapon capable of penetrating advanced anti-access and area-denial systems. The contract is part of the Pentagon’s ‘Arsenal of Freedom’ initiative, which aims to accelerate US weapons production and overhaul the acquisition process. This development was first reported by Newsweek.