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Why Both China & Russia Have ‘Officially Surpassed’ The US In Hypersonic Missile Program?

The US suffered a major setback in its hypersonic missile program on Monday after it failed to launch a  missile from a B-52H bomber.

According to the US Air Force statement, the B-52H Stratofortress took off over the Point Mugu Sea Range intending to fire the first booster test vehicle for the AGM-183A Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW) program.

The test missile failed to complete its launch sequence and was safely retained on the aircraft which returned to the base, it added.

“The ARRW program has been pushing boundaries since its inception and taking calculated risks to move this important capability forward. While not launching was disappointing, the recent test provided invaluable information to learn from and continue ahead. This is why we test,” said Brig. Gen. Heath Collins, Armament Directorate Program Executive Officer.

USAF personnel working on an AGM-183A captive carry test article loaded on a B-52H bomber (Photo USAF)

The US Air Force said that this would have been the eighth flight test for the ARRW program following seven captive carriage missions. The missile launch test had many objectives, which included demonstrating the safe release of the booster test vehicle from the B‑52H as well as assessing booster performance, booster-shroud separation, and simulated glider separation, a press release by the force announced.

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