The Department of the Air Force (DAF) has awarded Lockheed Martin a $694 million production contract for the AGM-183A Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW). The agreement covers production of the hypersonic missile, which is capable of reaching speeds exceeding Mach 5. The missile is designed to penetrate advanced anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) systems and strike high-value targets from stand-off distances.
The ARRW production contract was signed on 29 September 2026 under the US Department of Defense’s Enterprise-Wide Agile Acquisition Contract. The contract aims to modernise the United States’ “Arsenal of Freedom”. The agreement covers the production and fielding of the AGM-183A Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW). This marks the transition of the boost-glide hypersonic missile programme from prototype development and flight testing to production.
Powered by a solid-fuel rocket motor, ARRW is designed to reach speeds exceeding Mach 5 before releasing its hypersonic glide vehicle. The system will enable the US Air Force to conduct long-range strikes against time-sensitive, heavily defended and high-value targets.
Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink stated that the transition to production marks a significant milestone in the roadmap for advanced weapons systems. Meink noted that moving ARRW from testing to production will provide combatant commands with a high-speed, reliable strike weapon capable of penetrating the most advanced anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) systems.
US Air Force Chief of Staff General Ken Wilsbach stated that bringing ARRW into service will enhance strike capabilities against targets worldwide. Wilsbach emphasised that the hypersonic weapon will provide the Joint Force with a flexible and rapid response option in highly contested operational environments.
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Source:C4Defence – Air Force
