Northrop Grumman has delivered its Stand-in Attack Weapon (SiAW) test missile to the US Air Force, which is designed to target rapidly relocatable threats.
The test missile will be used to verify the safe carriage and separation of the weapon from its launch aircraft.
In 2023, the US Air Force awarded Northrop Grumman a $705-million contract to supply the new SiAW for its F-35 combat jet fleet.
As part of the deal, the defense firm will also be responsible for testing and curating the SiAW’s integration to ensure it fits the fifth-generation fighter, with the goal of achieving initial operational capability by 2026.
The SiAW development takes place at Northrop’s facility in Northridge, California, while the integration program will be conducted at the Allegany Ballistics Laboratory in West Virginia.
Features
The SiAW is an air-to-ground missile designed to strike rapidly relocatable targets within enemy anti-access and area-denial environments.
It incorporates an open architecture interface known as the Weapon Open Systems Architecture, allowing for quick subsystem upgrades to adjust and enhance the missile’s capabilities over time.
The development of the SiAW builds on Northrop’s experience with previous projects, including the Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile-Extended Range (AARGM-ER).
In addition to supplying the US Navy and Marine Corps, Northrop Grumman has delivered over 1,500 AARGM missiles worldwide, with systems provided to the Italian, Australian, and German air forces.