The Air Force withheld missile quantities and delivery dates, citing operational security. The award was executed through the Department of War’s Enterprise-Wide Agile Acquisition Contract.
“This is a turning point in our advanced weapons roadmap,” said Air Force Secretary Troy Meink. “By moving ARRW from test to production, we’re providing our combatant commanders with a credible, high-speed strike weapon capable of penetrating the most advanced anti-access and area-denial systems.”
ARRW uses a solid-fuel rocket booster designed to accelerate the weapon beyond Mach 5 before releasing a hypersonic glide vehicle. It is intended to attack time-sensitive, heavily defended and high-value targets from standoff ranges.
“Fielding ARRW enhances our ability to hold targets at risk anywhere around the world,” said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach. “This hypersonic weapon provides the Joint Force a flexible and rapid response option for highly contested environments.”
