The US Air Force has conducted another successful hypersonic test of Lockheed Martin’s Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW) missile system.

The Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon Booster Test Flight-3 was the 12^th flight for the programme and third release demonstration.

 The weapons system reached hypersonic speeds and primary and secondary objectives were met, the service has announced.

Brig Gen. Heath Collins, Armament Directorate programme executive officer, commented: “This was another important milestone for the Air Force's first air-launched hypersonic weapon. The test successfully demonstrated booster performance expanding the operational envelope. We have now completed our booster test series and are ready to move forward to all-up-round testing later this year. Congratulations to the entire ARRW team, your dedication and expertise are what got us here.”

ARRW is designed to provide the ability to destroy high-value, time-sensitive targets. It will also expand precision-strike weapon systems' capabilities by enabling rapid response strikes against heavily defended land targets.

Test flights will continue throughout 2022, before reaching early operational capability in 2023.

Hypersonic weapons provide a rapid response, time critical capability to overcome distance in contested environments using high speed, altitude and manoeuvrability.

Hypersonic technology presents several complex engineering challenges. Going Mach 5 or faster generates extreme levels of heat, driving the need for innovative materials, sensors and electronics to withstand such speeds throughout its journey.

In addition to heat, these systems must be able to maintain consistent communication connections, as well as considerable intelligence to perform precise manoeuvrability techniques to overcome a wide range of advanced defence systems and extreme contested environments.

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