En el marco del programa Air Launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW /AGM-183A), avanza el contrato que la US Air Force adjudicó a Lockheed Martin por US$ 694 millones para iniciar la etapa de producción. El AGM -183 A es un misil hipersónico del tipo Boost – Glide, que utiliza un booster para la aceleración inicial hasta alcanzar la velocidad de MACH 5, continuando luego la etapa de planeo (Sin propulsión) hasta su objetivo. Además del citado contrato, Lockheed Martin ha destinado fondos propios para ampliar sus capacidades industriales, incorporando tecnologías robóticas y digitales avanzadas. Esta iniciativa forma parte de una amplia estrategia corporativa, orientada a expandir las capacidades de producción de municiones de alta tecnología y prestaciones en la próxima década.
Lockheed Martin has been awarded a $694M contract from the U.S. Air Force for production of the Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW). The new capability brings sustained and maneuverable hypersonic capabilities to America’s Arsenal of Freedom and is the culmination of years of developmental and test partnership between Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Air Force.
Integrated on the B-52, ARRW brings hypersonic strike capability that can be rapidly deployed to the U.S. Air Force. Its production readiness makes it an essential asset for the military, providing a critical capability to counter emerging threats.
Earlier today, Lockheed Martin broke ground on an expansion of Building P-20 in Troy, Alabama, that will add 47,000ft2 of production space for ARRW. The expansion will triple the current facility’s production space and generate new American jobs over the next four years, adding to the almost 4,000 Lockheed Martin employees in the state of Alabama. The world-class facility will prepare the workforce to build ARRW using advanced manufacturing, robotics, and digital technologies.
ARRW will travel at speeds greater than Mach 5, more than five times the speed of sound, to rapidly engage targets from significant standoff ranges.
ARRW is designed to operate in extreme environments through the use of advanced materials to manage extreme heat, an advanced technology package to maintain accuracy and lethality, and the capability to overcome a wide range of defenses.
Lockheed Martin has already funded efforts, materials, and equipment required to start ARRW’s production, underscoring the company’s commitment to delivering this critical capability to the U.S. Air Force at speed and scale.
“The ARRW production contract award showcases Lockheed Martin’s ability to develop and begin production on cutting-edge systems at unprecedented speed and scale,” says Tim Cahill, president, Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “ARRW expands our weapon systems portfolio and launches a critical, high-precision, and sustained hypersonic capability that will enhance the U.S. Air Force’s strategic advantage across multiple domains.”
- Lockheed Martin’s $8-9 billion investment through 2030 to meet munitions demand is already delivering tangible results, including our $67 million investment for ARRW production facility expansion and equipment, prior to receiving government funding.
- The company also continued research and development, ensuring long-term support and rapid delivery of the U.S. Air Force’s need for an air-launched hypersonic strike capability.
- Lockheed Martin is the leader in hypersonic strike capabilities, leveraging more than 60 years of hypersonic strike experience to deliver game-changing capabilities in support of the U.S. National Defense Strategy and security objectives of allied nations.
