The US Air Force announced the successful completion of the first complex tests of the AGM-183A air-based rapid response system. This is a hypersonic air-to-ground missile and this time the full combat version has been tested.

The tests were carried out on December 9 off the coast of the southern part of the state of California, the missile was launched from an intercontinental strategic bomber Boeing B-52 Stratofortress. According to official data from the US Air Force, the missile “reached a hypersonic speed of more than five times the speed of sound, completed its flight in the planned orbit and exploded in the airspace region”. duties.

This test is the final stage that confirms the missile’s final features. If all goes as planned, Lockheed Martin could begin mass production of such missiles as early as fiscal 2024.

“This test brings the missile to the brink of combat readiness,” said Jay Pitman, Lockheed Martin’s vice president of Missiles and Fire Control.