Air Force orders $694m production of AGM-183A hypersonic missile from Lockheed Martin
The Department of the Air Force announced a $694 million contract with Lockheed Martin to produce the AGM-183A ARRW hypersonic missile, three years after it moved to end the programme. Coverage differs on whether to stress the programme's reversal or the global hypersonic race.
1 / 2
The story, neutrally told
Right · 1The Department of the Air Force announced on Monday a $694 million contract with Lockheed Martin for production of the AGM-183A Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW), the Air Force's first hypersonic missile. Washington ExaminerR “On Monday, the Department of the A”“a $694 million contract with Lockheed Martin for the production and operation of the AGM-183A Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon” Read at Washington Examiner ↗ Right · 1According to the Washington Examiner, an Air Force press release said the contract was signed on Sept. 29 but only revealed Monday, and it was awarded under the Enterprise-Wide Agile Acquisition Contract. Washington ExaminerR “The contract itself was signed on Sept. 29, an Air Force press release said, but was revealed Monday.”“under its Enterprise-Wide Agile Acquisition Contract” Read at Washington Examiner ↗ Mixed · 2Air Force Secretary Troy Meink called the move "a turning point in our advanced weapons roadmap" that gives combatant commanders a "credible, high-speed strike weapon", while Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach described "a flexible and rapid response option for highly contested environments". Washington ExaminerR ““This is a turning point in our advanced weapons roadmap,” Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink said in a statement.”“a flexible and rapid response option for highly contested environments” Read at Washington Examiner ↗ NewsweekN “is a "turning point" for advanced American weapons” Read at Newsweek ↗
Centre · 1Newsweek reports the contract is part of the "Arsenal of Freedom" unveiled by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, a Pentagon push to produce more weapons. NewsweekN “The contract is part of the so-called Arsenal of Freedom unveiled by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth” Read at Newsweek ↗ Mixed · 2The programme had nearly ended: in March 2023, after several failed tests, the Air Force's acquisition executive Andrew Hunter told the House Armed Services Committee it did not intend to pursue follow-on procurement of ARRW, favouring the RTX and Northrop Grumman Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile (HACM). Washington ExaminerR “On March 29, 2023, Air Force acquisition executive Andrew Hunter told the House Armed Services Committee that the Air Force “does not currently intend to pursue follow-on procurement” of the ARRW.” Read at Washington Examiner ↗ NewsweekN “The Air Force had moved to cancel the development of the ARRW in 2023 after a run of testing failures” Read at Newsweek ↗ Mixed · 2The Washington Examiner says the HACM stalled while ARRW testing succeeded in 2024, and that the Air Force's fiscal 2027 budget request included $296 million to begin ARRW Increment 2 technology efforts; Newsweek says the HACM was flight tested in Australia earlier this month. Washington ExaminerR “The HACM stalled, however, and the ARRW soon leapfrogged over it. Successful testing in 2024 proved its value”“a request for $296 million “to begin [ARRW] [Increment 2] technology efforts” Read at Washington Examiner ↗ NewsweekN “This weapon was flight tested earlier this month in Australia.” Read at Newsweek ↗
Mixed · 2The ARRW is launched from a B-2 or B-52 bomber, carried to the upper atmosphere by a rocket booster, then glides to its target at more than Mach 5 on a shallower trajectory than a ballistic missile and can manoeuvre, making interception harder. Washington ExaminerR “Launched from either a B-2 or B-52 bomber, the ARRW payload is taken to the upper atmosphere by a rocket booster, then detaches and glides to its target” Read at Washington Examiner ↗ NewsweekN “the ability to twist and turn so it is very difficult to intercept” Read at Newsweek ↗ Right · 1The Washington Examiner says the weapon has been touted for its ship-killing ability against China in a possible Pacific conflict. Washington ExaminerR “with its ship-killing abilities often touted as providing a vital capability against China in a possible future conflict” Read at Washington Examiner ↗ Centre · 1Newsweek places the order in a wider context: it says the US lagged Russia and China after de-prioritising hypersonics following early-2000s investment, that the US has no operational hypersonic weapons, and that the GAO estimates hypersonic missiles will cost nearly $70 million each versus about $4 million for a Patriot interceptor or Tomahawk. NewsweekN “The U.S. doesn't currently have any operational hypersonic weapons”“Hypersonic missiles will likely cost nearly $70 million per missile, according to the GAO.” Read at Newsweek ↗
Centre · 1Newsweek adds that the Trump administration wants military spending of $1.5 trillion, with around $38 billion for hypersonic programmes according to congressional research, and quotes Council on Geostrategy fellow William Freer saying the revival suggests final test data was positive and priorities or budgets have shifted. NewsweekN “Around $38 billion of this would be dedicated to hypersonic programs, according to congressional research.”“Resurrecting the program suggests data from its final tests was positive” Read at Newsweek ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre1 outlet
- Framing
- Uses the contract as a hook for an explainer on how US hypersonic efforts compare with Russia and China.
- Emphasis
- Russian and Chinese systems, other US programmes, cost per missile, and the defence budget.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Omits the contract's signing date and contracting vehicle, the fiscal 2027 ARRW Increment 2 request, and the Pacific/ship-killing role.
- Charged language
- “Arsenal of Freedom”“pump out”
Right1 outlet
- Framing
- Frames the order as a reversal and a 'triumph for Lockheed Martin' after the programme nearly ended, with emphasis on its role against China in the Pacific.
- Emphasis
- Contract details, programme history, budget request, and how the weapon works.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Gives little on cost per missile, comparison with Russian and Chinese programmes, or other US hypersonic efforts.
- Charged language
- “triumph for Lockheed Martin”“leapfrogged”
- For example
-
“marks a triumph for Lockheed Martin” — Washington Examiner
“the ARRW soon leapfrogged over it” — Washington Examiner
What every side reports
- Lockheed Martin received a contract of roughly $694 million to produce the AGM-183A ARRW.
- Air Force Secretary Troy Meink called the decision a 'turning point'.
- The Air Force moved in 2023 to end ARRW after testing failures, favouring the HACM.
Where accounts differ
-
Status of the HACM
- Centre
- Newsweek notes the HACM was flight tested in Australia earlier this month.
- Right
- The Washington Examiner says the HACM stalled and is still in development.
United States Air Force organisation
Presents the award as moving ARRW from test to production, giving commanders a credible high-speed strike weapon able to penetrate advanced anti-access systems.
“By moving ARRW from test to production, we’re providing our combatant commanders with a credible, high-speed strike weapon” — Washington Examiner
Lockheed Martin organisation
Lockheed Martin is the contract recipient; the coverage quotes no statement from the company, and the Washington Examiner calls the award a triumph for it.
“marks a triumph for Lockheed Martin” — Washington Examiner
Hypersonic missiles topic
Pentagon says hypersonic weapons have 'fundamentally altered the landscape of military technology and strategy'; Newsweek notes high costs and Russian and Chinese leads.
“fundamentally altered the landscape of military technology and strategy” — Newsweek
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre1 article
-
How US Hypersonic Missile Program Compares to Russia, China As Deal Struck
Neutral Explainer using the deal to compare US, Russian and Chinese hypersonic programmes and costs.
Right1 article
-
Pentagon orders production of US Air Force’s first hypersonic missile
Mixed News report on the award that stresses the programme's comeback and Pacific utility, with mildly approving language.
- 27 Oct 17:45 First Washington ExaminerR Pentagon orders production of US Air Force’s first hypersonic missile
- 27 Oct 17:45 First NewsweekN How US Hypersonic Missile Program Compares to Russia, China As Deal Struck
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.
Ask about this story
Loading…