The US Air Force (USAF) and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) performed the last test flight of the hypersonic missile HAWC (Hypersonic Airbreathing Weapon Concept). The event, according to agency, crowned a program that fulfilled all its initial objectives.
Advanced armament was dropped from a B-52 Stratofortress bomber; the missile flew at speeds in excess of Mach 5 (5 times the speed of sound), over 60.000 feet and over 300 nautical miles. Again the test provided critical data to inform the Air Force Research Laboratory's (AFRL) hypersonic technology maturation efforts.
"This month's flight added an exclamation mark to the most successful hypersonic air breathing test program in US history.", said Walter Price, Air Force representative for the HAWC program. “The things we learned from HAWC will certainly enhance the future capabilities of the US Air Force.”
With the completion of testing, the US hypersonic portfolio now has one more viable hypersonic missile to enhance in the future. In addition to the HAWC, the USAF invests in the AGM-183 ARRW (Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon).
The HAWC had two versions, a Lockheed Martin/Aerojet Rocketdyne missile and a Raytheon/Northrop Grumman model. Both had successful tests. The Air Force has opted to pursue the ARRW and HACM (hypersonic attack cruise missile) for its future hypersonic weapons. HACM, in particular, will act as a continuation of the HAWC technology.
“The HAWC program created a new generation of hypersonic engineers and scientists,” said Andrew “Tippy” Knoedler, HAWC program manager. “HAWC has also brought a wealth of data and progress to the hypersonic air breathing community. Industry teams took the challenge of scramjet-powered vehicles seriously, and we were brave and lucky to make it work.”
Although the HAWC program has reached its final phase, there is still data to analyze and more opportunities to mature the technology. DARPA plans to continue this maturation in the More Opportunities with HAWC (MOHAWC) program by building and flying more vehicles based on HAWC advancements. These missiles will expand the scramjet's operational envelope and provide technological on-ramps for future registration programs.
“We’ve had our share of hardships”, said Knoedler. “Amidst a pandemic, a tense supply chain and atmospheric rivers, our industry partners forged ahead, mitigating risks where they could and accepting others. They delivered on their promises, proving the viability of the concept.”
