La US Air Force ha dado un nuevo paso en el desarrollo de sus armas hipers\u00f3nicas, al concretar con \u00e9xito el ensayo de lanzamiento desde una plataforma a\u00e9rea, del ALRRW (Air Launched Rapid Response Weapon), verificando el correcto desempe\u00f1o de componentes de telemetr\u00eda y datos GPS, entre el misil y el elemento de Control del vector. Un primer paso hacia la condici\u00f3n de \u201coperacional\u201d de este revolucionario sistema de armas.<\/p>\n
EDWARDS AFB, California — The Air Force took another step towards fielding a hypersonic weapon following its final captive-carry test of the AGM-183A Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon under a wing of a B-52 Stratofortress off the Southern California coast, Aug 8.<\/p>\n
The flight resulted in the successful transmission of telemetry and GPS data from the AGM-183A IMV-2 (Instrumented Measurement Vehicle) to Point Mugu Sea Range ground stations. The test verified system integration with the B-52 launch platform and telemetry while practicing concepts of operations that will be utilized during its first Booster Test Flight later this year.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a major milestone for the program, the team and our Air Force,\u201d said Brig. Gen. Heath Collins, Air Force Program Executive Officer for Weapons. \u201cARRW is the first step in bringing game-changing hypersonic capabilities to our Warfighters.\u201d<\/p>\n
The ARRW program is a rapid prototyping project aimed at delivering a conventional hypersonic weapons capability to the Warfighter in the early 2020s. The weapon system is designed to provide combatant commanders the capability to destroy high-value, time-sensitive targets.<\/p>\n
ARRW will also expand precision-strike weapon systems\u2019 capabilities by enabling rapid response strikes against heavily defended land targets.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe event this week demonstrated the ability to communicate with the prototype weapon; the entire team is excited to take the next step and begin energetic flight test of our first air-launched hypersonic weapons,\u201d said Lt. Col. Michael Jungquist, 419th Flight Test Squadron Commander and Global Power Bomber Combined Test Force Director. \u201cThese weapons will enable application of conventional firepower anywhere in the world at eye-watering speed.\u201d<\/p>\n
The 419th FLTS and Global Power Bomber CTF conduct flight test missions utilizing the Air Force\u2019s inventory of bomber aircraft.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are in a competition and must remain diligent in our efforts to stay ahead of our adversaries who are vigorously pursuing similar weapon systems,\u201d said Gen. Arnold. W. Bunch, Jr., Air Force Materiel Command commander. \u201cAcross the enterprise, our research, acquisition and test communities are well-coordinated to deliver critical hypersonic capabilities for the nation.\u201d<\/p>\n
The ARRW program development began with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency\u2019s Tactical Boost Glide demonstration system, which will be integrated into the ARRW payload. It has successfully completed two prior captive-carry tests.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am very pleased with the work on the Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon and what this means for global precision-fires,\u201d said Gen. Tim Ray, Air Force Global Strike Command commander. \u201cThis capability will directly support our warfighters. Hypersonic weapons further enable the U.S. to hold any target at risk in any environment anywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n
This test of the AGM-183A IMV-2 was the culmination of efforts from across the Air Force Test Center enterprise, the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division at Point Mugu, the ARRW Program Office and Lockheed Martin.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis test program presents an opportunity for the U.S. to showcase rapid warfighting innovation in the game-changing field of hypersonic research,\u201d Jungquist said. \u201cThe Global Power Bomber and Hypersonic CTFs are privileged to work with the ARRW system program office and Lockheed Martin to bring this capability to fruition.\u201d<\/p>\n