A tactical air-to-surface missile, known as the Stand-in Attack Weapon (SiAW), successfully released from a 40th Flight Test Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon for the first time Nov. 7 over the Gulf of Mexico. The goal of the test was to prove the new weapon could separate from an aircraft successfully, a major milestone, so further testing can begin.The new SiAW missile is designed to provide strike capability against rapidly relocatable targets like cruise and antiship missile launchers and jamming platforms. The test missile used, called a jettison test vehicle, contained no rocket motor or internal electronics.
The JTV is a tool used specifically to determine whether the weapon safely separates from the aircraft upon commanded release. This milestone test brought together a host of 96th Test Wing units to coordinate, monitor and execute this mission. Test conductors planned and controlled the mission out of the Eglin Central Control Facility. Engineers monitored the separation and will conduct post-flight analysis soon. Pilots and photographers flew the mission and captured the aerial test footage. The Air Force Armament Directorate is responsible for SiAW program.
Derived from the AGM-88G missile designed primarily to punch holes in enemy air defenses, SiAW is under development to offer a broader high-speed strike capability against time-sensitive ground targets, including ballistic and cruise missile launchers, air and missile defense nodes, electronic warfare systems, and even anti-satellite weapons. Northrop Grumman, the prime contractor for the AGM-88G and SiAW, released a brief statement today about the delivery of the new test missile, which is designed to verify that the launch aircraft can safely carry and separate the weapon.
SiAW offers a capability that is particularly relevant to the U.S. military’s current over-arching planning focus around a potential high-end conflict with China. The Chinese People’s Liberation Army has already made considerable investments in the development and fielding of more advanced and longer-range air defense, anti-ship, and electronic warfare capabilities, as well as ones intended to challenge America’s historic dominance in the space domain. Having multiple ways to suppress and destroy these A2/AD capabilities, and do so quickly and effectively across a broad front, will be critical to succeeding in any future major fight in the Pacific region.
