CONFLICT
U.S. Air Force Finally Successfully Launched The Hypersonic Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon
The United States Air Force has finally successfully launched the Hypersonic Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon (AARW). On May 14th, the 419th Flight Test Squadron and the Global Power Bomber Combined Test Force at Edwards Air Force Base conducted the first successful test of the ARRW off the coast of Southern California. The weapon demonstrated separation from the B-52H Stratofortress. Its booster ignited and burned for the expected duration, and the weapon was able to achieve speeds greater than Mach 5. It is worth noting that the United States Air Force, since 2020, has been considering using the aging fleet of B-1Bs as the primary launch platform for this missile. However, all tests so far have been off of the B52.