SiAW delivered to USAF

[Zaphod58]

The USAF has taken delivery of the first Stand-in Attack Weapon from Northrop Grumman. The first weapons will be used for captive carry and separation testing. The weapon is designed to attack relocatable targets, such as mobile ballistic missiles and A2/AD systems, such as mobile radars. Northrop is leveraging lessons learned in the AARGM program, and externally the two look identical, however the internals of SiAW are completely different. The integration platform for the weapon will be the F-35. SiAW is designed to fit in the F-35 IWB and will give them an even more impressive SEAD/DEAD capability.

The SiAW is intended to verify compatibility between the launch aircraft and the weapon, ensuring that the missile can be safely carried and deployed.
The SiAW represents a key step in enhancing the strike capabilities of the U.S. Air Force, particularly in environments characterized by Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD). The weapon is designed to neutralize high-value, relocatable targets that present an evolving threat within A2/AD systems—areas where adversary air defenses are intended to deter or prevent U.S. forces from accessing key battle spaces.

https://defence-blog.com/northrop-grumma...air-force/

[Avicula]

Recent missile programs have started to scratch an itch of mine that used to only flare up around airplanes. Just in the US alone, there has been a torrent of new programs and capabilities and just plain old neat ideas that will probably be the closest I’ll ever come to knowing what it was like to be an airplane nerd (and a proud one!) in the 1950s when it seems like there was something new and cutting edge being unveiled every few months. The SiAW sounds like it could be a TREMENDOUS arrow in the United States ever-growing quiver.

Now it’s just a matter of rebuilding out our industrial manufacturing base well enough to be able to scale up production the second the need for these weapons arrives.

[Mantiss2021]

Coincidentally, Northrup-Grumman suffered an explosion at their "Rocket Ranch" facility in Utah earlier today(?).

No injuries (or deaths) reported, so far, but the blast is said to have completely destroyed one building.

The building that was destroyed was supposedly, Not, used to manufacture or store chemicals.

Oops!  Or something "else"?

[Zaphod58]

Coincidentally, Northrup-Grumman suffered an explosion at their "Rocket Ranch" facility in Utah earlier today(?).

No injuries (or deaths) reported, so far, but the blast is said to have completely destroyed one building.

The building that was destroyed was supposedly, Not, used to manufacture or store chemicals.

Oops!  Or something "else"?

They test rocket motors there.

[gort69]

So..is this the new missle that will destroy people and property, or is it the new generation that flys over then hovers, and has a flag that comes out that says..Bang! Making them drop their arms and surrender?