{"id":14293,"date":"2021-04-06T15:05:25","date_gmt":"2021-04-06T15:05:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2021\/04\/06\/the-first-flight-test-of-the-air-forces-air-launched-hypersonic-booster-didnt-go-as-planned\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T21:24:29","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T21:24:29","slug":"the-first-flight-test-of-the-air-forces-air-launched-hypersonic-booster-didnt-go-as-planned","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/air\/2021\/04\/06\/the-first-flight-test-of-the-air-forces-air-launched-hypersonic-booster-didnt-go-as-planned\/","title":{"rendered":"First flight test for US Air Force\u2019s hypersonic booster didn\u2019t go as planned"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WASHINGTON \u2014 The first rocket booster test of the U.S. Air Force\u2019s hypersonic AGM-183A Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon<\/a> failed when the vehicle did not launch during an April 5 flight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During tests over Point Mugu Sea Range off the coast of California, a B-52 Stratofortress bomber attempted to launch the ARRW booster vehicle. However, \u201cthe test missile was not able to complete its launch sequence\u201d and the bomber returned to Edwards Air Force Base, California, with the test vehicle, the Air Force said in a statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The service plans to study the missile to understand why it didn\u2019t launch, then make alterations and attempt to fire it in a future test, the service said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe ARRW program has been pushing boundaries since its inception and taking calculated risks to move this important capability forward,\u201d said Brig. Gen. Heath Collins, the Air Force\u2019s program executive officer for its armaments directorate. \u201cWhile not launching was disappointing, the recent test provided invaluable information to learn from and continue ahead. This is why we test.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aside from demonstrating the safe separation of the ARRW booster from the B-52 during the April 5 test, the Air Force had intended to evaluate the performance of the missile at operational speeds through ignition and the boost phase, as well as simulate the separation of the booster from the glide vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The test was carried out by the 419th Flight Test Squadron and the Global Power Bomber Combined Test Force at Edwards AFB.<\/p>\n\n\n\t