According to the data presented, the first flight tests of the new American HAWC hypersonic missile from Lockheed Martin were unsuccessful. As a result of a series of errors, the launch from the B-52 bomber was decided not to be carried out.
The United States is among the world leaders in the development of hypersonic weapons (it is not an exaggeration to say that they are in the first place). Meanwhile, the technical complexity of such weapons systems can become a serious obstacle to the introduction of new missiles into service.
This thesis was once again confirmed by the first flight tests of the Hypersonic air-breathing Weapon Concept (HAWC) hypersonic missile. During the test, the b-52 strategic bomber was supposed to launch a missile, however, according to Air Force Magazine, citing its source, the launch was never made.
The reason for the failure was called a combination of circumstances not related to the design of the rocket. "This is not a question related to the design of a hypersonic cruise missile. This is from the category of stupid mistakes, "the newspaper quotes an excerpt from the material.Ru». Probably, the specific reason for the failure lies in the "basic errors" associated with the mechanical features of conducting tests of a promising product.
It is known that before that, the Americans conducted at least several HAWC tests, without launching missiles. Earlier, it was reported that the complex was unintentionally dropped from the plane and lost during the flight. However, according to new data, nothing like this actually happened.
Possible appearance of the HAWC hypersonic missile
Image source: Lockheed Martin
The HAWC is being developed as part of a tender announced by the defense advanced development Agency (DARPA). It is planned to create a missile that could be launched from fighter aircraft, including the latest fifth-generation fighter F-35.
Currently, two corporations are participating in the tender: Lockheed Martin and Raytheon. In 2019, representatives of the latter stated that the rocket could fly by the end of last year. Now, probably, HAWC flight tests can be expected at best in 2021.
It is important to note that the Hypersonic Air-breathing Weapon Concept is not the only hypersonic air-based complex that the Americans are creating.
Probably, another development has a better chance of implementation — the AGM-183A hypersonic missile, or Air Launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW). Recall that recently the B-1B bomber launched a subsonic cruise missile from an external holder, which in the future can be used for ARRW launches.
We also note that earlier the Americans revealed some technical details of the complex.
