First SiAW Missile Hands-Over by Northrop Grumman for Air Force's Trials
Let's Talk SiAW: Northrop Grumman's Stealthy New Strike Weapon
Northrop Grumman has recently delivered the first of its Stand-in Attack Weapons (SiAW), destined for captive carry and separation testing. The SiAW is slated for production in high numbers and will be carried by a variety of Air Force platforms, with initial operational capability expected in 2026.
The SiAW Game-changer
Securing a $705 million contract in September 2023, Northrop Grumman is aggressively pushing for the development, flight testing, and integration of the SiAW. They are confident they can meet the 2026 deadline, as the SiAW draws significantly on the technology in its Advanced Anti-Radar Guided Missile-Extended Range (AARGM-ER). With the F-35 being the initial platform for the SiAW, capable of carrying two internally, other platforms including the B-21 bomber and F-15E are expected to follow suit.
Competing in the Market
Northrop Grumman outmaneuvered L3Harris to secure the development contract for the SiAW, with Lockheed Martin deciding to withdraw from the competition. As the Air Force's first all-digital weapons development and acquisition program, the SiAW is poised to revolutionize the battlefield, drawing on digital engineering, agile software development, and an open systems architecture to facilitate rapid upgrades.
Targeting the Enemy
While specifics about the SiAW's capabilities are yet to be fully disclosed, it's believed to address "capability gaps created by 2025+ threats." Unlike the HARM, which was effective in Operation Desert Storm but had limited range and single-emitter targeting, the SiAW is designed to be highly survivable and flexible, with multiple sensors, tail-control vanes, and an ability to communicate with other platforms and weapons. Its potential targets include command-and-control sites, ballistic and cruise missile launchers, GPS jamming systems, anti-satellite systems, and other high-value or fleeting targets.
Comparing the Competition
In comparison to the AARGM-ER and legacy AGM-88 HARM, the SiAW offers significant advantages. While the AARGM-ER excels in extended range, multi-emitter targeting, and post-launch reprogramming, the emerging SiAW is tailored for internal stealth operations, targeting resilient and advanced air defense systems, and offering multi-mode targeting for flexibility against various threats. The legacy HARM, on the other hand, provides foundational SEAD capability but lacks the advanced guidance and reprogramming capabilities of the AARGM-ER or the stealth and multi-role characteristics of the SiAW.
Looking Forward
As the Air Force and Northrop Grumman move into the next phase of development for the SiAW, we can expect captive carry/separation tests, guided flight tests, and the delivery of SiAW leave-behind prototype missiles and test assets. With the potential for large-scale production, frequent technology updates, and likely export to close allies, the SiAW is primed to take its place as a formidable weapon in the modern battlefield arsenal.
[1] Northrop Grumman, AARGM-ER, and SiAW: Confronting the Threat of Advanced Air Defense Networks, Strategic Defense Review, October 2024.
- The new Strike Weapon, SiAW, developed by Northrop Grumman, is expected to challenge the advancements in air defense systems with its internal stealth operations and multi-mode targeting.
- In comparison to the AARGM-ER and legacy AGM-88 HARM, the SiAW is poised to offer significant advantages in targeting resilient air defense networks, modern threats, and high-value targets such as command-and-control sites and anti-satellite systems.
- As Northrop Grumman continues its development of the SiAW with aggressive push towards flight testing and integration, it's clear that technology and sports metaphors can accurately be used to describe the SiAW as a game-changer in the modern battlefield arsenal.
- With the SiAW's potential for large-scale production, frequent technology updates, and possible export to close allies, the sport of warfare may soon have a new, formidable player in Northrop Grumman's arsenal.
