In the United States, the B-52 Stratofortress bomber failed to launch the ARRW hypersonic launch vehicle. The first flight tests of the new weapon took place on April 5 over the Point Mugu sea ridge off the coast of California.
"The test missile failed to complete its launch sequence, and the bomber returned to Edwards Air Force Base," the Defense News publication said.
Military engineers plan to study the rocket to understand why it did not launch, and to make changes to its design.
"While the launch was disappointing, the test provided invaluable information to explore and continue working on. That's what we're testing for, " said Heath Collins, program manager for the U.S. Air Force Weapons Administration.
In addition to launching the ARRW, the US military intended to evaluate the characteristics of the missile at operating speeds.
Recall that the ARRW hypersonic test missile was delivered to Edwards Air Force Base on March 1. The product was supposed to be tested within 30 days.
Nikolay Grishchenko
