Air Force Remains Optimistic on Future of Hypersonic Weapons

The Department of the Air Force remains optimistic about its hypersonic missile programs despite challenges associated with the platform.

According to Andrew Hunter, assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition, technology and logistics and a 2023 Wash100 winner, the Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile program is still on track but is facing significant challenges. Hunter said the service is taking a rapid prototyping approach to identify and mitigate potential risks.

Hunter also pointed out that the Air Force is building on previous lessons from the HACM program to identify how the anticipated hypersonic weapon would work and ensure that it would improve the U.S. military’s capabilities, DefenseScoop reported.

The Air Force official’s comments come months after the service branch announced that it would not acquire the Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon due to a series of development and testing failures. Hunter said in March that the Air Force would not seek a follow-on procurement but was committed to completing ARRW tests. The department still sought $150 million for fiscal year 2024 for ARRW research and development.

Hunter said there is still a chance that the Air Force will acquire a boost-glide missile in the future.