The U.S. Air Force has confirmed that it executed its last scheduled end-to-end trial
launch of a live AGM-183A Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW) hypersonic
missile earlier this week. The missile was launched from a B-52H bomber operating from
the strategically significant U.S. Pacific island territory of Guam.
Viewers may note that a few days ago images of the weapon in Guam appeared
on the Internet and there was widespread speculation about an impending test.
This development comes amidst uncertainty surrounding the future of ARRW,
with indications suggesting the possibility of a subsequent program that might already be underway.
In this video, Defense Updates analyzes why US military test firing ARRW from Guam is
a big message for China? Let's get started.
As per a US Air Force official, on March 17, local time, “a B-52H Stratofortress conducted
a test of the All-Up-Round AGM-183A Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon”
at the Reagan Test Site close to Kwajalein Atoll. The bomber took off from Andersen AFB.
“This test launched a full prototype operational hypersonic missile and
focused on the ARRW’s end-to-end performance,” the spokesperson said. The Air Force “gained
valuable insights into the capabilities of this new, cutting-edge technology” from the event.
This marks the first launch of an ARRW missile,
or any other recognized American hypersonic weapon, in this particular region. Consequently,
the test serves as a notable signal across the Pacific, particularly directed towards China.
The AGM-183A ARRW is a long-range hypersonic missile.
The missile was designed to enhance the USAF's hypersonic strike capacity,
enabling it to engage heavily fortified, high-priority targets
like enemy military installations and surface warships from stand-off distances.
Hypersonic weapons travel at speeds greater than Mach 5, or more than 3,836 miler per hour, and
are highly maneuverable, which makes them difficult to track and shoot down.
The extreme speed of hypersonic weapons and the ability to fly in unpredictable paths
give them a much higher probability of penetrating modern air defenses.
Essentially, hypersonic weapons combine the
speed of ballistic missiles with the maneuverability of cruise missiles.
This type of weapon will be very hard to track, let alone intercept.
The AGM-183 comprises a rocket booster and an unpowered hypersonic boost-glide
vehicle housed within the missile's nose cone. The booster propels the
boost-glide vehicle to the desired speed and altitude, where it is then separated
from the rest of the weapon and then glides to the target attaining hypersonic speed.
ARRW is a weapon that can be launched from standoff distances without getting inside
the engagement envelope of enemy air defenses.
In 2017, Lockheed Martin won the contract to begin ARRW development.
The company had stated it wanted to meet the desired production targets
within three years but the program got delayed due to technical challenges.
While several testes were carried out, issues kept creeping up
The ARRW program was designed as a rapid prototyping initiative, aimed at swiftly
creating vehicles for testing and showcasing an ability to produce the system at scale quickly.
The agreement stipulated the creation of "leave behind" assets that could
be utilized in operational scenarios or for additional tests following the
completion of the initial development. The US Air Force has not revealed the quantity
of ARRWs intended for production or the number reserved for subsequent testing.
Since it became an American territory in 1898,
Guam has been considered a vital asset by Washington.
It lies in the Pacific east of the Philippines.
Its proximity to China, Japan and the Korean Peninsula hand the US a launching pad into Asia,
and as such, it has been built up into a military fortress. The
US runs a naval base and Coast Guard station in the south of the island,
as well as an air force base in the north, which was regularly used during the Vietnam War.
Guam's significance spans regional security and diplomatic efforts,
symbolizing America's commitment and serving as a central hub for
military drills and collaboration with Pacific allies and partners.
The base stands as a crucial component in this broader strategic calculus,
given its proximity to China and anticipated pivotal role should conflict arise in the region.
Experts argue that China's expanding anti-access/area
denial (A2/AD) capabilities underscore the necessity for the development and
evaluation of a next-generation air-launched standoff weapon.
China's A2/AD capabilities in the Pacific pose a threat to
US and allied military installations and supply lines, hinder access to theaters,
and fortify vital assets in potential crises involving Taiwan or the South China Sea.
The test is something, CCP can’t overlook since ARRW has a range of 1,000 mi (1,600
km) and when carried by a bomber like B-52, can hit any target in China.
China is concerned and this is reflected in its
criticism of the US military’s capability enhancement in Guam. In August last year,
Beijing warned Washington against turning Guam into a US “outpost to wage wars.”
Senior Col. Wu Qian, spokesman for China’s Defense Ministry, said,
“As for Guam … its security depends on what role the US wants Guam to play. If Guam were
to be an outpost to wage wars, it would not be secure even if it were armed to the teeth.”
The rationale behind the revival of ARRW for testing remains ambiguous,
primarily due to the lack of specific information from the USAF.
However, the reappearance of the ARRW suggests that reports of the
program terminal may have been overstated. Regardless of the ARRW's future trajectory,
China will be closely monitoring the developments.