Northrop Grumman flight tested its new anti-access/area denial missile as part of the US Air Force’s Stand-in Attack Weapon (SiAW) program contract.
The air force selected the Virginia-headquartered defense firm to develop the SiAW prototype in 60 months, along with Boeing, L3Harris, Lockheed Martin, and Raytheon.
Neutralizes Anti-Access Environment
The weapon is intended to open up the enemy’s anti-access/area-denial umbrella by striking at targets such as “theater ballistic missile launchers, land-attack and anti-ship cruise missile launchers, GPS jammers, anti-satellite systems, and integrated air defense systems.”
The missile is based on Northrop’s AGM-88G Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile – Extended Range currently under development. The SiAW will have additional capabilities for a broader target, employing “an active radar homing guidance system, different warhead and fusing, and a universal armament interface.”
Launch in 2022
Northrop used a CRJ-700 aircraft for the second flight test of the air-to-surface mission computers and sensors. This is part of a new series of tests putting the system in more challenging scenarios in preparation for the missile’s launch next year.
“We have taken significant steps to mature our missile design, providing capabilities for the US Air Force SiAW program and other programs,” vice president and general manager of weapon systems Dan Olson remarked.
“Leveraging our digital engineering expertise to accelerate timelines, our first complete missile is planned to be built and ready for launch in 2022.”