US Air Force Moves ARRW Hypersonic Missile Into Production With $694 Million Award
By Greg Hadley · · TexaHub · Defence & Security, Space & Aerospace
The US Air Force announced a $694 million contract to Lockheed Martin for production and fielding of the AGM-183A ARRW hypersonic missile. The service withheld quantities and delivery dates.
The Contract
The US Air Force announced on 26 October 2026 that it had awarded Lockheed Martin a $694 million contract to produce the AGM-183A Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW), its first hypersonic missile. The award was made on 29 September but was not made public until a month later. [1]
The contract moves ARRW from prototyping and flight testing into production and fielding, and was placed under the Pentagon's Enterprise-Wide Agile Acquisition Contract. The Air Force did not disclose how many missiles it ordered or when they are due, citing operational security. [3]
Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink called the decision "a turning point in our advanced weapons roadmap." Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach said: "Fielding ARRW enhances our ability to hold targets at risk anywhere around the world." [1]
The Weapon
ARRW is a boost-glide weapon. A solid rocket booster accelerates it before separating, leaving a manoeuvrable glide vehicle that travels at Mach 5 or faster. The missile is too large for most fighters and will initially be carried by the B-52 bomber. [1] [3]
Troy Plant Expansion
Lockheed Martin said on 27 October that it had broken ground on a 47,000 sq ft expansion of Building P-20 in Troy, Alabama, which will triple the facility's production space for ARRW. The company said it had invested $67 million in ARRW production facilities and equipment before receiving government funding. [2]
"This contract showcases Lockheed Martin's ability to develop and begin production on cutting-edge systems," said Tim Cahill, president of Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. [2]
A Revived Programme
Development began in 2018. The first launch test in April 2021 failed and was followed by two more failures before a first successful test in May 2022. In March 2023 the Air Force said the programme would end without purchases and shifted its focus to the Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile, before telling Congress in 2025 that it would buy ARRW after all. [1] [3]
The fiscal 2027 request includes $452 million for ARRW production, but that budget is stalled in Congress and the Pentagon is operating under a continuing resolution at 2026 levels. Budget plans project ARRW procurement of $556 million to $621 million a year from 2028 to 2031. [1]
Sources
[1] Air Force Launches ARRW, Its First Hypersonic Weapon, into Production — Air & Space Forces Magazine
[2] Lockheed Martin to Add Air-Launched Hypersonic Missile to the American Arsenal of Freedom — Lockheed Martin
[3] US Air Force awards Lockheed Martin $694M hypersonic missile production contract — Defense News