Second Attempt To Test The Air Force’s First Hypersonic Weapon Fails
The missile’s rocket booster failed to ignite after separating from the B-52 carrying it, but the Air Force says it still gained valuable test data.
The missile’s rocket booster failed to ignite after separating from the B-52 carrying it, but the Air Force says it still gained valuable test data.
The test of the warhead comes as the service is reportedly preparing to try again to conduct its inaugural launch of a prototype AGM-183A missile.
A USAF report cites a range of environmental impacts that could be caused by missile testing including the highly anticipated ARRW live-fire test.
The Air Force touted its first end-to-end simulated hypersonic weapon strike, but new networking concepts that made it possible may be the real star.
The prototype missile never left the wing of the B-52H bomber carrying it during the hugely anticipated test.
All the pieces appear to be falling into place for what will be a historic event for the Air Force and American hypersonic weapons development.
The new schedule comes after an Air Force official said just recently that the first flight test of the AGM-183 would take place this past week.
An Air Force Global Strike Command official has given us an indication of how fast the Air Force’s new Air-launched Rapid-Response Weapon will fly.
The USAF just completed the last captive carry flight of what’s slated to become the service’s first hypersonic weapon. Launch tests are next.
The weapons will usher in capabilities previously only dreamed of and could be operational as early as 2022.