USA: OpFires und AGM-183A Air Launched Rapid Response Weapon

[theoderich]

Defense Production Act Title III Presidential Determination for Airbreathing Engines, Advanced Avionics Position Navigation and Guidance Systems, and Constituent Materials for Hypersonic Systems

https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/R ... athing-en/


19. Januar 2023

FY 2022 DOT&E Annual Report submitted to Congress

https://www.dote.osd.mil/News/News-Disp ... -congress/

• Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS)
  

  In June 2022, the Navy conducted the first JFC event, JFC-1, to test a single CPS all-up-round at the Pacific Missile Range Facility. The test was a DT event and did not require DOT&E approval; however, DOT&E observed the test event. JFC-1 experienced an in-flight anomaly that prevented data collection for portions of the planned flight profile. The Navy has determined the cause, implemented corrective actions, and is preparing to execute JFC-2.
  
  The second flight test, JFC-2, will be launched from the prototype Army weapon control system, Battery Operations Center, and transporter-erector-launcher with soldier observation during the test. The test will occur at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.
  
  The third flight test event, JFC-3, will launch from the prototype Army transporter-erector-launcher and provide a demonstration of launch capability for the Army’s Dark Eagle program. The final events in Phase 1, JFC-4 and JFC-5, are intended to demonstrate the Navy’s cold-gas launch capability and residual operational capability.

  https://www.dote.osd.mil/Portals/97/pub ... V-ZA%3d%3d

[theoderich]

1st Multi-Domain Task Force Deploys the Army’s First Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon System




https://www.army.mil/article/265349/1st ... pon_system

[theoderich]

Air Force conducts first ARRW operational prototype missile test

https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display ... sile-test/

Das ARRW-Programm wird wahrscheinlich eingestellt:

ARRW hypersonic missile test failed, US Air Force admits (28. März 2023)

Frank Kendall indicated the Lockheed Martin-made AGM-183A Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon program may be in jeopardy. The service, he said, is “more committed to HACM [the Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile, the service’s other major hypersonic weapon program] at this point in time than we are to ARRW.”

The ARRW effort “has struggled a little bit in its testing program,” Kendall told the House Appropriations Committee’s defense panel during a hearing on the fiscal 2024 budget request. He said an ultimate decision on whether to continue with the program could come as part of the FY25 budget process next year following a study of the failed March test and possibly two more test launches.

The Air Force on Friday revealed it had conducted the second test launch of a fully operational prototype ARRW off the coast of southern California earlier this month.

But the Air Force did not reveal details about the test or its success in that statement, only saying it met “several of the objectives.” That language differed from an Air Force statement in December about a previous ARRW test, in which the service said the weapon’s release was successful and met all objectives.

The Air Force declined to comment further on the March test and its results when contacted Friday by Defense News.

Kendall did not detail how the March 13 test fell short in his testimony.

“We did not get the data that we needed from that test,” he told lawmakers. “They’re currently examining that, trying to understand what happened.”

Kendall said the Dec. 9 ARRW test, which was also with an operational prototype, was “a very successful flight, which was a big step forward before the one that just occurred.”

The Air Force has two more ARRW prototypes it plans to test after the studies on the failed test are done, Kendall said.

“We’ll probably have to make a decision on the fate of ARRW after we complete the analysis, and hopefully do those two tests,” Kendall said. “We’ll revisit it, I think, as we build the ’25 budget to see what will be done in the future.”

Kendall said HACM has been “reasonably successful.”

“We see a definite role for the HACM concept,” Kendall said. “It’s compatible with more of our aircraft, and it will give us more combat capability overall.”

https://www.defensenews.com/air/2023/03 ... ce-admits/

Budget Hearing – Fiscal Year 2024 Request for the United States Air Force and Space Force

https://appropriations.house.gov/legisl ... pace-force

[theoderich]

Weapon Systems Annual Assessment:
Programs Are Not Consistently Implementing Practices That Can Help Accelerate Acquisitions

https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-23-106059

Long Range Hypersonic Weapon System (LRHW)

[...]

The Army expects to field a system with eight missiles by the end of fiscal year 2023. The program proposed transitioning to the MTA rapid fielding pathway, but as of January 2023, the Army had not finalized that decision.

[...]

Current Status

The Army is on track to field its first LRHW system—including the eight missiles in production—by the end of fiscal year 2023, according to LRHW officials. However, the schedule depends on the success of upcoming tests. The first flight test of a complete missile in 2022 was partially successful. LRHW has two more missile tests scheduled in 2023 before it plans to field the first system.

[...]

We found in prior work that starting production before demonstrating a system works as intended increases the risk of discovering deficiencies that require costly rework. The program is managing this risk by continuing to build, but not complete, the missiles until it has more test data.

The Army plans to field two additional LRHW batteries no later than fiscal years 2025 and 2027.

https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-23-106059.pdf

[theoderich]

Northrop Grumman Opens New Hypersonic Propulsion Systems Manufacturing Facility

ELKTON, Md. – Aug. 3, 2023 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has opened a Hypersonics Capability Center (HCC) in Elkton, Maryland to produce advanced propulsion solutions that can power hypersonic missiles beyond Mach 5.

https://news.northropgrumman.com/news/r ... g-facility

[theoderich]

Contracts For Sept. 15, 2023

Lockheed Martin Corp., Huntsville, Alabama, was awarded a $104,698,553 modification (P00006) to contract W31P4Q-23-C-0008 for Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon ground support equipment. Work will be performed in Huntsville, Alabama, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 28, 2028. Fiscal 2023 missile procurement, Army funds; and fiscal 2023 research, development, test and evaluation, Army funds in the amount of $104,698,553, were obligated at the time of the award. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting authority.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/ ... e/3527789/

[theoderich]

U.S. Army Still Looking For Countries To Host Pacific Task Forces

The Army created its first Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF) in 2017 as an experiment to create an expeditionary unit comprised of long-range fires, base defenses and other support units. The MDTFs will eventually field new capabilities in a strategic fires battalion, such as the Mid-Range Capability (MRC) and Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW).

Two of the new MDTFs are focused on the Indo-Pacific, but don’t have a home yet. Army Secretary Christine Wormuth told reporters Oct. 9 at the Association of the U.S. Army’s annual meeting in Washington that the MDTFs have deployed repeatedly to Japan and the Philippines for exercises, but those nations have not given approval for a basing agreement. The 1st MDTF is for now located at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, and the 3rd was activated in 2022 and is based at Fort Shafter, Hawaii. The 2nd MDTF is focused on Europe, and is based in Wiesbaden, Germany.

“That’s a decision that obviously is a sovereign one, and our host nation allies have to decide that for themselves,” she says.

The 1st MDTF deployed to Fort Magsaysay, Philippines, in May during the exercise Balikatan 23. There have been hopes that the Philippines would agree to base the task force following a February 2023 agreement in Manila between Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Carlito Galvez, the Philippine senior undersecretary and officer in charge of the Department of National Defense, to increase the U.S. presence and improve multiple bases.

https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/ ... ask-forces

[theoderich]

U.S. Army Awards Lockheed Martin $756 Million Hypersonic Weapon System Contract

Today the U.S. Army awarded Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] a $756 million contract to deliver additional capability for the nation’s ground-based hypersonic weapon system, the Long Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW).

Under the new contract, Lockheed Martin will provide additional LRHW battery equipment, systems and software engineering support, and logistics solutions to the Army.

LRHW will introduce a new class of ultrafast and maneuverable long-range hypersonic missiles with the ability to launch from ground mobile platforms. The LRHW weapon system is designed to launch the common hypersonic All Up Round (AUR) – provided by the U.S. Navy-managed Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) program – and includes the Army canister, a battery operations center, and transporter erector launchers.

https://news.lockheedmartin.com/2014-05 ... m-Contract




Contracts For May 17, 2024

Lockheed Martin Space, Huntsville, Alabama, was awarded a $756,807,861 modification (PZ0014) to contract W31P4Q-23-C-0008 for Long Range Hypersonic Weapon ground support equipment. Work will be performed in Huntsville, Alabama, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 28, 2028. Fiscal 2023 missile procurement, Army funds in the amount of $275,270,424 were obligated at the time of the award. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/ ... e/3779333/

Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS)

In June 2022, the Navy conducted the first JFC event, JFC-1, to test a single CPS all-up-round at the Pacific Missile Range Facility. The test was a DT event and did not require DOT&E approval; however, DOT&E observed the test event. JFC-1 experienced an in-flight anomaly that prevented data collection for portions of the planned flight profile. The Navy has determined the cause, implemented corrective actions, and is preparing to execute JFC-2.

The second flight test, JFC-2, will be launched from the prototype Army weapon control system, Battery Operations Center, and transporter-erector-launcher with soldier observation during the test. The test will occur at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.

The third flight test event, JFC-3, will launch from the prototype Army transporter-erector-launcher and provide a demonstration of launch capability for the Army’s Dark Eagle program. The final events in Phase 1, JFC-4 and JFC-5, are intended to demonstrate the Navy’s cold-gas launch capability and residual operational capability.

https://www.dote.osd.mil/Portals/97/pub ... V-ZA%3d%3d

FY 2023 DOT&E Annual Report Submitted to Congress (1. Februar 2024)

https://www.dote.osd.mil/News/News-Disp ... -congress/

Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS)

In March 2023, the Navy and the Army attempted the JFC-2 test flight. This was to be a hot launch from the Army’s prototype TEL into a Broad Ocean Area in the Atlantic Ocean. The test did not occur due to failed pre-flight checks that prevented the launch. The Navy and the Army reattempted the JFC-2 flight test (JFC-2R) in September 2023. The AUR did not launch due to failed pre-flight checks. The Navy and the Army intend to reattempt JFC-2 and conduct the third test, JFC-3, in FY24. Both events use Army equipment and demonstrate hot-launch capability for the Dark Eagle program. JFC-4 and -5, to occur in FY24, are expected to demonstrate the cold-gas launch capability necessary for launch from Zumwalt-class destroyers and Virginia-class submarines. DOT&E will submit an early fielding report in FY25 in support of Navy fielding of CPS on the Zumwalt-class.

EFFECTIVENESS

The CPS Program has not demonstrated a prototype operational capability. JFC-1 experienced an in-flight anomaly that prevented collection of data over portions of the intended flight profile. The Navy has implemented corrective measures that have not yet been demonstrated. Further, no data are available to assess the effectiveness of CPS in the full-spectrum operational threat environment because the Navy has yet to evaluate these effects on CPS.

LETHALITY

As noted in the FY22 Annual Report, CPS sled and flight tests have not included operationally representative targets and consequently do not provide direct evidence of the weapon’s lethal effects. The Navy is investigating methods to obtain lethality and effectiveness data by incorporating representative targets into the JFC tests and/or ground tests.

SUITABILITY

The CPS is not sufficiently mature to assess suitability. DOT&E will provide an assessment of the suitability metrics at the completion of Phase 1 CPS prototype flight tests and Phase 2 CPS rapid fielding tests. DOT&E will assess CPS operational suitability within an IOT&E report upon the completion of Phase 3 testing that is planned for FY29.

https://www.dote.osd.mil/Portals/97/pub ... Otmw%3d%3d

[theoderich]

The Navy and the Army intend to reattempt JFC-2 and conduct the third test, JFC-3, in FY24.

DOD Completes Flight Test of Hypersonic Missile


https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/R ... c-missile/


Updated July 2, 2024
The U.S. Army’s Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW): Dark Eagle

LRHW Missile Costs

According to a January 2023 CBO study, “U.S. Hypersonic Weapons and Alternatives,” purchasing 300 Intermediate-Range Hypersonic Boost-Glide Missiles (similar to the LRHW) was estimated to cost $41 million per missile (in 2023 dollars). A January 2023 Center for Strategic and International Studies report, “The First Battle of the Next War: Wargaming a Chinese Invasion of Taiwan,” contends, regarding hypersonic weapons, “their high costs limits inventories, so they lack the volume needed to counter the immense numbers of Chinese air and naval platforms.”

Given concerns about how LRHW missile costs could influence LRHW inventories, policymakers might decide to further examine LRHW missile costs as well as quantities of LRHW missiles needed to support potential sustained combat operations in various theaters of operations.

https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF11991

[theoderich]

US to start deploying long-range weapons in Germany in 2026

The United States will start deploying long-range fire capabilities in Germany in 2026 in an effort to demonstrate its commitment to NATO and European defense, the United States and Germany said in a joint statement on Wednesday.

The United States' "episodic deployments" are in preparation for longer-term stationing of such capabilities that will include SM-6, Tomahawk cruise missiles and developmental hypersonic weapons that have a longer range than current capabilities in Europe, the two countries said.

https://www.reuters.com/business/aerosp ... 024-07-10/


Joint Statement from United States and Germany on Long-Range Fires Deployment in Germany

Following discussions ahead of the NATO Summit, the governments of the United States and Germany released the following joint statement:

The United States will begin episodic deployments of the long-range fires capabilities of its Multi-Domain Task Force in Germany in 2026, as part of planning for enduring stationing of these capabilities in the future. When fully developed, these conventional long-range fires units will include SM-6, Tomahawk, and developmental hypersonic weapons, which have significantly longer range than current land-based fires in Europe. Exercising these advanced capabilities will demonstrate the United States’ commitment to NATO and its contributions to European integrated deterrence.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-roo ... n-germany/


PREPARE TO LAUNCH

While both the LRHW and MRC are ground-launched systems that provide advanced capabilities to engage targets effectively across different ranges, they operate differently. The LRHW system enables rapid and precise strikes against time-sensitive or heavily defended targets at hypersonic speeds over long distances. The MRC system delivers accurate strikes against a variety of targets within intermediate distances.

It is a new class of weapon for the Army and DOD and is the nation’s first operational hypersonic weapon, with a total of three LRHW batteries planned for delivery.

The LRHW is a road-mobile and air-transportable weapon system, armed with missiles that can travel at speeds in excess of 3,800 miles per hour, with a reported range of 1,725 miles. It communicates with the Army’s command and control networks via the Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System.

The LRHW system consists of Army ground support equipment—one battery operations center (BOC), four transporter erector launchers, a BOC support vehicle and up to eight All-Up Rounds plus Canister. The LRHW leverages a Navy-designed missile (a two-stage booster and the Common Hypersonic Glide Body (CHGB)) packaged in an Army canister.

“The target delivery for residual combat capability is [calendar year] 2024.”

The Army planned for three flight tests of the LRHW before the first battery fielding in fiscal year 2023. In October 2021, the booster rocket carrying the CHGB vehicle reportedly failed a test flight, resulting in what defense officials characterized as a “no-test” because the CHGB had no chance to deploy. A June 2022 test of the entire LRHW missile also resulted in a no-test. In October 2022, DOD delayed a scheduled LRHW test to assess the root cause of the June 2022 no-test.

Currently, Farrell said, the LRHW is in the final stages of flight tests designed to collect required data, demonstrate capability and validate the system’s design. Following a successful end-to-end flight test, RCCTO will deliver the first LRHW missile and transition the LRHW capability to PEO MS, where the program will continue flight testing and further development.

With a plan for 66 missiles, including 48 tactical missiles, the cost of each LRHW missile comes to $106 million.

https://www.army.mil/article/277922/prepare_to_launch