US Air Force successfully tests hypersonic weapon off Southern California coast

United States Air Force announced that it successfully tested a hypersonic weapon on May 14. US Air Force in a statement said that y h conducted test off Sourn California coast. According to US Air Force, Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW) was successfully released from B-52H Stratofortress bomber. 

After Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW) separated from aircraft, its booster ignited and burned for expected duration. According to US Air Force statement, weapon h achieved "hypersonic speeds five times greater than speed of sound." test was executed by 419th Flight Test Squron and Global Power Bomber Combined Test Force at Edwards Air Force Base in California. Brigier General Heath Collins, Air Force Program Executive Officer for Weapons, called testing of hypersonic weapon a "major accomplishment" for weapons enterprise and Air Force. He stressed that "tenacity, expertise and commitment" of team played a key role in overcoming past year's challenges to achieve recent success.

“This was a major accomplishment by ARRW team, for weapons enterprise, and our Air Force. team's tenacity, expertise, and commitment were key in overcoming past year's challenges to get us to recent success. We are rey to build on what we've learned and continue moving hypersonics forward," Brigier General Heath Collins said in statement.

ARRW testing enhances precision-strike capabilities: US Air Force

According to US Air Force statement, Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon has been designed to make US capable to hold "fixed, high-value, time-sensitive targets at risk in contested environments" from stand-off distances. testing of hypersonic weapons will also enhance "precision-strike capabilities by enabling rapid response strikes against heavily defended land targets." Lt. Col. Michael Jungquist, 419th FLTS commander and GPB CTF director, said that test was executed "flawlessly" and team h me history by first air-launched hypersonic weapon. program h suffered three flight test failures before recent successful test of a hypersonic weapon, CNN reported. Earlier in April, US Air Force h announced that y h decided to delay schedule for weapon's completion due to flight test anomalies. 

Image: AP