According to Defense News, the United States Air Force has signed contracts with Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and L3Harris Technologies to develop air-to-surface replica weapons for the fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighters.

Under quarterly contracts, the companies will work on the tasks of the first phase of the SIAW (stand-in assault weapon) project. Each deal is worth two million dollars. The resulting weapons will be able to hit air defense (air defense), cruise and ballistic missile launchers, as well as anti-satellite systems.

It is stated that the new missiles will not be as long-range as missiles launched from B-52 missile carriers. Ammunition is used after entering the airspace of a potential enemy.

Michael Stewart, director of business development at Northrop Grumman, said the new missiles should be placed in the interior compartments of the F-35. This will expand the warrior’s abilities without sacrificing invisibility. In creating the new weapon, Northrop Grumman draws on its experience working on the AGM-88G Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile Extended Range (AARGM-ER).

In documents attached to the fiscal year 2023 budget draft, the US Air Force requested $78 million for the purchase of 42 new weapons.