Northrop Grumman announced that it had been awarded an approximately $705 million contract by the US Air Force to supply the Stand-in Attack Weapon (SiAW) missile, which will equip the F-35 fighters, September 25.
In the first phase of the Stand-in Attack Weapon (SiAW) missile project development, the US Air Force awarded $2 million contracts to three companies: Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, and L3Harris Technologies.
This initial phase spanned three months, during which each company demonstrated its missile capabilities using a digital acquisition approach that prioritized agility and innovation.
After selecting Northrop Grumman for Phase 2, the development program will uphold the Air Force’s dedication to a middle tier acquisition large weapon initiative, with a focus on digital engineering, weapon open system architecture, and agility, stated the company.
The Air Force’s objective is to achieve initial operational capability by 2026, with Phase 2 comprising two main components: Phase 2.1, concluding with a guided vehicle flight test, and Phase 2.2, encompassing three additional flight tests along with the delivery of SiAW leave-behind prototype missiles and associated test assets.
“Northrop Grumman’s SiAW delivers on the Air Force’s desire for its first digital weapons acquisition and development program. 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,” said Susan Bruce, vice president, advanced weapons, Northrop Grumman.
The SiAW program aimed to develop a missile capable of enabling the Joint Strike Fighter and potentially other USAF fleet aircraft to engage mobile anti-access and area denial platforms, with potential targets encompassing air defense systems, missile launchers, GPS jammers, and anti-satellite systems. According to budget documents, the Air Force intends to allocate $1.9 billion for SiAW investment by 2027.
