USAF Seeks Stand-in Attack Weapon Equivalent
What happened
The U.S. Air Force is seeking companies to deliver a missile system equivalent to the Stand-in Attack Weapon (SiAW) for contested environments.
Why it matters
The USAF is looking for a SiAW equivalent, seeking similar or improved capabilities, reflecting a possible need to accelerate deployment. This could mean the current Northrop Grumman SiAW development is facing delays, or the Air Force wants to quickly increase the number of available weapons. The call for a SiAW equivalent specifies key features, including extended range, advanced targeting, counter-countermeasures, and integration with existing and future platforms. The Air Force wants a missile that can strike a variety of targets, including command-and-control sites, missile launchers, GPS jamming systems, and anti-satellite systems. The SiAW is intended to be carried by the F-35, F-16, F-47 (Next-Generation Air Dominance fighter), and B-21 Raider. The F-47 designation in the notice marks its first public appearance in an Air Force acquisition document related to a specific weapon system. Northrop Grumman based the SiAW design on its Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile-Extended Range (AARGM-ER), which itself evolved from the AGM-88 HARM. The SiAW is expected to fly faster and strike targets at greater ranges than its predecessors.
Key numbers
- The SiAW is intended to be carried by the F-35, F-16, F-47 (Next-Generation Air Dominance fighter), and B-21 Raider.
- The F-47 designation in the notice marks its first public appearance in an Air Force acquisition document related to a specific weapon system.
- Northrop Grumman based the SiAW design on its Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile-Extended Range (AARGM-ER), which itself evolved from the AGM-88 HARM.
What happens next
- This could mean the current Northrop Grumman SiAW development is facing delays, or the Air Force wants to quickly increase the number of available weapons.
- The Air Force wants a missile that can strike a variety of targets, including command-and-control sites, missile launchers, GPS jamming systems, and anti-satellite systems.
- The SiAW is intended to be carried by the F-35, F-16, F-47 (Next-Generation Air Dominance fighter), and B-21 Raider.
Sources
Quick answers
What happened in USAF Seeks Stand-in Attack Weapon Equivalent?
The U.S. Air Force is seeking companies to deliver a missile system equivalent to the Stand-in Attack Weapon (SiAW) for contested environments.
Why does USAF Seeks Stand-in Attack Weapon Equivalent matter?
The USAF is looking for a SiAW equivalent, seeking similar or improved capabilities, reflecting a possible need to accelerate deployment. This could mean the current Northrop Grumman SiAW development is facing delays, or the Air Force wants to quickly increase the number of available weapons. The call for a SiAW equivalent specifies key features, including extended range, advanced targeting, counter-countermeasures, and integration with existing and future platforms. The Air Force wants a missile that can strike a variety of targets, including command-and-control sites, missile launchers, GPS jamming systems, and anti-satellite systems. The SiAW is intended to be carried by the F-35, F-16, F-47 (Next-Generation Air Dominance fighter), and B-21 Raider. The F-47 designation in the notice marks its first public appearance in an Air Force acquisition document related to a specific weapon system. Northrop Grumman based the SiAW design on its Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile-Extended Range (AARGM-ER), which itself evolved from the AGM-88 HARM. The SiAW is expected to fly faster and strike targets at greater ranges than its predecessors.
