Northrop Grumman Secures $705 Million Contract to Enhance F-35 Fighter’s Firepower

Northrop Grumman, a leading aerospace and defense technology company, clinched a substantial $705-million contract from the United States Air Force earlier this week. This contract aims to supply cutting-edge air-to-ground missiles specifically tailored for the high-performance F-35 combat jets.

Under the agreement, Northrop Grumman is set to deliver the Stand-in Attack Weapon (SiAW), a potent addition to the F-35 arsenal that promises to enhance the aircraft’s lethality and firepower.

Advancing SiAW: Maturing the Next-Gen Missile for F-35 Superiority

Over the next 36 months, Northrop Grumman will be engaged in a comprehensive process to refine and mature the SiAW missile. This undertaking will encompass platform integration and a rigorous series of flight tests to ensure the weapon’s reliability and effectiveness.

“During the next 36 months, Northrop Grumman will further develop the weapon, conduct platform integration and complete the flight test program for rapid prototyping in preparation for rapid fielding,” Northrop said in a press release.

The ultimate goal of this effort is to equip the F-35 with a state-of-the-art air-to-ground missile capable of meeting the demands of modern warfare.

“Work will be performed at the company’s Northridge, California facility and its factory of the future for missile integration at Allegany Ballistics Laboratory in West Virginia,” they added.

The SiAW is anticipated to reach its initial operational capability milestone by 2026, a substantial step forward in the F-35’s capabilities, which will further cement its status as a formidable fifth-generation fighter aircraft.

Armament Evolution: Assessing SiAW’s Role in F-35’s Arsenal

Currently, US Air Force F-35s are equipped with a combination of AIM-9X missiles on their wings and AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles carried internally. It remains uncertain whether the introduction of the new Northrop Grumman SiAW missile will replace any of these existing armaments or serve to augment the fighter’s firepower.

Speaking on this momentous contract, Susan Bruce, Vice President of Advanced Weapons at Northrop Grumman, expressed the company’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge technology to the military.

“Northrop Grumman’s SiAW delivers on the Air Force’s desire for its first digital weapons acquisition and development program,” Bruce said. “With our expert digital engineering capabilities, this next-generation missile represents an adaptable, affordable way for the Department of Defense to buy and modernize weapons.”

About the Northrop’s Newest Missile

Northrop Grumman’s SiAW missile was meticulously designed to excel in countering anti-access and aerial denial systems—a task of utmost importance in modern warfare scenarios. It builds upon the legacy of its Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM) and the renowned AGM-88 HARM (High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile). The AGM-88 HARM (High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile), introduced in the 1980s, made history during Operation Desert Storm, swiftly homing in on and neutralizing ground-based search and track radars, deterring Iraqi radar operators from activating their systems.

SiAW, however, transcends these accomplishments, designed not only to incapacitate relocatable targets within an enemy’s anti-access/aerial denial system but also to engage a broader spectrum of threats.

Beyond its primary function of neutralizing air defense radars, the SiAW also boasts the versatility to target a wide array of high-value and fleeting objectives. These include command-and-control sites, ballistic missile launchers, cruise missile launch platforms, and other strategic assets crucial to mission success. Moreover, SiAW distinguishes itself with superior speed, extended range, and adaptability to address emerging threats anticipated beyond 2025.

We’ve been selected by the @usairforce to complete development and deliver the Stand-in Attack Weapon (SiAW), the advanced, high-speed, air-to-ground weapon that will provide precision strike capability for a new generation of air power. https://t.co/fszu7TIOfE pic.twitter.com/az44V4oQT9

— Northrop Grumman (@NGCNews) September 25, 2023

The term “stand-in” underscores its capacity to operate within heavily defended airspace, where the reach of integrated air defense systems has dramatically expanded since the HARM’s inception.

The SiAW missile is equipped with a multitude of seeker sensors and relies on cutting-edge GPS and other navigation systems for pinpoint accuracy in striking its designated targets. To reiterate, its exceptional speed and effectiveness set it apart from existing weaponry. For comparison, the AGM-88 HARM travels at speeds of up to 2,280 kilometers (1,416 miles) per hour. The SiAW is poised to outperform and surpass the capabilities of its predecessors, making it a valuable addition to the Air Force’s weaponry.

Initially deployed on the F-35, its potential integration into the B-21 bomber hints at a broader horizon for this revolutionary weapon system.

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Northrop Grumman’s $705-million contract to supply the SiAW missile for US Air Force F-35 combat jets represents a significant advancement in military technology. As the F-35 continues to serve as a cornerstone of the United States air superiority, the addition of the SiAW missile promises to further bolster its capabilities.

With its versatile targeting abilities, precision strikes, and exceptional speed, the SiAW is poised to play a pivotal role in ensuring the continued dominance of the F-35 on the battlefield. The coming years will witness the transformation of this missile from concept to operational reality, marking a milestone in the evolution of air-to-ground weaponry and military aviation.