HACM Archives

A B-52H Stratofortress assigned to the 419th Flight Test Squadron is undergoes pre-flight procedures at Edwards Air Force Base, California, Aug. 8, 2020. The aircraft conducted a captive-carry flight test of the AGM-183A Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon Instrumented Measurement Vehicle 2 at the Point Mugu Sea Range off the Southern California coast. (Air Force photo by Giancarlo Casem)

MDA director on hypersonics testing: ‘We need to get into a faster clip’

Lt. Gen. Heath Collins noted that with other missile programs “you may launch dozens of dozens of weapons. But on the hypersonic side, we just have not…

Jun 6, 2024 By Mikayla Easley

B-52 Stratofortress crews from the 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota and the 49th Test and Evaluation Squadron, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, participated in hypersonic weapon familiarization training at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Feb. 27, 2024. Hypersonics is an attribute being pursued for advanced munitions. The Department of Defense is developing hypersonic science and technology to ensure the U.S. can rapidly transition operational hypersonic systems. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Pedro Tenorio)

Air Force not planning to buy any ARRW hypersonic missiles in fiscal 2025

Meanwhile, the Air Force is requesting $517 million for another weapon known as the Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile (HACM).

Mar 11, 2024 By Mikayla Easley

Master Sgt. John Malloy and Staff Sgt. Jacob Puente secure the AGM-183A Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon Instrumented Measurement Vehicle 2 as it is loaded under the wing of a B-52H Stratofortress at Edwards Air Force Base, California, Aug. 6, 2020. (Air Force photo by Giancarlo Casem)

Limited test infrastructure, data shortages plague Air Force hypersonics program

ARRW's flight test schedule is "continually challenged to the limited availability and numbers of hypersonic flight corridors, target areas, and test support assets," according to a new…

Feb 5, 2024 By Mikayla Easley

Concept art for the Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile (HACM). (Image courtesy of Raytheon Technologies)

Raytheon to receive $407M for ‘enhancements’ to Air Force hypersonic missile

The deal is an addition to the nearly $1 billion deal awarded to Raytheon in 2022 to develop the Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile (HACM).

Jan 12, 2024 By Mikayla Easley

Air Force has ‘concerns’ about HACM; hasn’t ruled out boost-glide hypersonic weapons

Air Force acquisition chief Andrew Hunter spoke with DefenseScoop about the service's hypersonics programs.

Dec 21, 2023 By Jon Harper

Northrop Grumman’s Hypersonic Capability Center in Elkton, Maryland (Northrop Grumman photo)

Northrop Grumman opens new propulsion system factory in anticipation of boom in hypersonic missile production

The Hypersonics Capability Center in Elkton, Maryland is a 60,000-square-foot facility.

Aug 3, 2023 By Jon Harper

DARPA taps Raytheon for next phase of air-breathing hypersonic program

Raytheon received an $81 million contract to work on the More Opportunities with the Hypersonic Air-breathing Weapon Concept, or MoHAWC, program.

Jul 17, 2023 By Mikayla Easley

Illustration of a hypersonic missile (Getty Images)

Physics and cost are shaping Pentagon’s hypersonics paths

Experts noted there are key differences between the two main types of hypersonic weapons that demonstrate how the services are prioritizing their procurement efforts to match their…

Apr 11, 2023 By Mikayla Easley

Kendall: ARRW missile test was unsuccessful; Air Force now more committed to another type of hypersonic weapon

The Air Force is now more committed to the Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile (HACM) than the Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW).

Mar 28, 2023 By Mikayla Easley

SDA issues solicitation for new space-based sensor payloads to aid missile testing

The payloads will be able to track data created during live tests for hypersonic weapons and other high-speed missiles.

Mar 17, 2023 By Mikayla Easley