Lockheed Martin is slated to complete the critical design review phase for a hypersonic weapon system for the U.S. Air Force, FlightGlobal magazine reported Thursday.
Lockheed will conclude review activities for the prototype Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon ahead of an operational capability certification in fiscal year 2022.
In 2017, the Air Force issued a $780M award to Lockheed for the development of a boost-glide rocket platform capable of reaching Mach 20 or hypersonic speeds.
The service branch awarded Lockheed a $480M contract a year later to support ARRW critical design review, test and production activities.Â
Lockheed tested ARRW on a Boeing-built B-52 Stratofortress subsonic bomber jet in June.