U.S. Air Force ARRW hypersonic missile prototype fails second test when its rocket motor fails to ignite
VENTURA COUNTY NAVAL BASE, Calif. – The U.S. Air Force conducted its second AGM-183A Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW) booster flight test on July 28, 2021, but, for the second time, it did not go as planned. Business Insider reports. Continue reading original article
The Military & Aerospace Electronics take:
27 Aug. 2021 -- The ARRW test missile, designated Booster Test Vehicle 1b (BTV-1b), was released by an Edwards AFB's B-52H Stratofortress over Point Mugu Sea Range but its rocket motor failed to ignite after the separation.
Several objectives were planned for this test, including demonstrating the safe release of BTV-1b and assessing booster performance. While it did not meet all flight objectives, the Air Force said that the test demonstrated several first-time events as the program continues to track toward fielding a hypersonic capability in the early 2020s.
According to the press release, the ARRW missile cleanly separated from the aircraft and successfully demonstrated the full release sequence including GPS acquisition, umbilical disconnection and power transfer from the aircraft to the missile.
John Keller, chief editor
Military & Aerospace Electronics
