The US Air Force has awarded Lockheed Martin a $694 million contract to produce and field the AGM-183A Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon, moving the hypersonic system into production after repeated test setbacks. Designed for carriage by B-52H bombers, the boost-glide weapon is intended to provide a high-speed, long-range strike option against advanced air-defence networks and other anti-access systems.
The contract was awarded on 29 September through the Department of War’s Enterprise-Wide Agile Acquisition Contract and disclosed publicly on 26 October. It reverses the Air Force’s 2023 plan to end ARRW after difficulties during flight testing. The weapon uses a solid-fuel booster to accelerate its glide vehicle to speeds above Mach 5 before release.
Lockheed Martin has begun expanding its Troy, Alabama, production site, adding 47,000 square feet to Building P-20. The project will triple the facility’s existing ARRW production space and support additional jobs over the next four years. The company has already funded the work, materials and equipment needed to start production, including a reported $67 million for the expansion and associated equipment.
The Air Force and Lockheed Martin have not disclosed the number of missiles covered by the contract or delivery dates. The award therefore does not establish when ARRW will become operational or when the first weapons will reach Air Force units. The missile had also been planned for integration with the B-1B.