F-35C presented with a hypersonic rocket
6 May at one of the exhibitions was first presented the artistic concept of the newest strike fighter, equipped and firing a hypersonic rocket HAWC. In accordance with this image, it is assumed that the aircraft will carry two items, one on each side on external hangers. There is no doubt that this method of arming the F-35 will negatively affect the notorious secrecy of the aircraft.
It is assumed that HAWC, which has so far been developed as weapons ground-based, first fly before the end of the year. As explained in the Air Force and DARPA, HAWC will use a launch vehicle that can accelerate at least to speed in 5 Mach, and then a hypersonic ramjet engine that supports speed between 5 and 10 Machi will work. Lockheed Martin is involved in the creation of the rocket, with which the military in April 2018 of the year entered into a corresponding contract for 928 million.
HAWC is said to be able to maneuver in the atmosphere, following a more unpredictable flight path compared to other traditional long-range weapons, such as ballistic missiles, which make it harder for the enemy to protect against them. The product will be capable of striking both ground and sea targets.
The War Zone edition suggests that HAWC can be equipped not only with deck F-35Cs, but also other Navy fighters, such as the F / A-18E / F Super Hornet, P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, B-1 or B- bombers. 52.
DARPA and the Air Force look at HAWC as a kind of stepping stone to more advanced hypersonic air-launched weapons. In this case, the final choice on their part has not yet been made. Currently, HAWC is in a "race" with another program - Tactical Boost Glide (TBG), in which it creates an unmanned aerial vehicle designed to launch a hypersonic rocket both from the air and from a ship.
- said 1 May 2019, Stephen Walker, head of DARPA.
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