The US Air Force first released a short clip showing a B-1B Lancer bomber flying with an externally carried AGM-183 ARRW hypersonic weapon.
A US Air Force B-1B Lancer bomber was shown for the first time carrying an AGM-183A air-launched rapid response weapon (ARRW). The hypersonic weapon was visible in a short 2-second clip that was part of a longer feature dedicated to maintainers and posted to the Edwards Air Force Base Instagram page on April 29, 2026.
ARRW on B-1B
It is unclear when the ARRW test flight took place on the B-1B Lancer. The weapon is installed on an external pylon in the same position that has already been used in the past to test the external transport of JDAM bombs and to operationally carry the Sniper targeting pod.
The service already mentioned years ago its intention to integrate the AGM-183 into the BONE (from “B-One,” as the plane is unofficially nicknamed). However, until now the weapon has always been seen on the B-52H Stratofortress, and the Air Force did not announce testing on the B-1B.
Integration into the B-1B was also mentioned in the recent Fiscal Year 2027 Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) Budget Request. Specifically, this appears to be part of the Hypersonic Integration Program, which the service explains has “successfully demonstrated the B-1B’s ability to execute captive transport of a 5,000-pound-class store and release of a proven weapon form from a load-adaptive modular (LAM) pylon.”
This specific phrase was also included in last year’s budget request, possibly referring to testing of the 5,000-pound GBU-72/B 5K Advanced Penetrator, which was spotted at BONE in 2024. The new turrets, whose acquisition was similarly mentioned in last year’s budget request, are intended to allow the B-1B to externally carry a variety of weapons with fewer limitations compared to older systems.
Hypersonic Integration and Expanded Weapons Integration Program
The Air Force was initially looking to retire the B-1B by 2030, though it is now looking to extend the bomber’s service life until at least 2037. Meanwhile, the service has been looking to equip the BONE for standoff strikes with higher weapons volumes.
This is part of the Expanded Weapons Integration program, which is described below in the budget documentation:
“EXPANDED WEAPONS INTEGRATION: This funding supports the B-1B’s Expanded Weapons Integration (EWI) program, a Continuous Improvement Program (CIP) essential to maintaining the platform’s combat relevance against sophisticated adversaries, providing the B-1B with the ability to counter pace and future threats. The primary goal of EWI is to advance the B-1B’s ability to deliver a broad range of engagement munitions, a critical capability for executing missions in Denial Disputed Areas/Anti-Access (A2/AD) Current efforts are focused on expanding the overall external carry arsenal, which includes, but is not limited to: Guided Bomb Unit (GBU)-72, Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Multiple Missiles (JASSM) and Long-Range Anti-Ship Missiles (LRASM), Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM), Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW), and Air-to-Ground Missile (AGM-183).
New start for fiscal year 2027.
This program will integrate advanced weapons systems, including hypersonic missiles, by funding the comprehensive engineering, software development and testing necessary to certify new weapons systems for safe transportation and employment. By expanding the B-1B’s payload and mission flexibility, this program significantly enhances its contribution to the nation’s long-range strike portfolio, ensures it remains a formidable asset capable of meeting future mission demands, and enhances overall combat readiness.
“New start for fiscal year 2027.”
The new budget request notably shows that the Air Force intends to bring back the AGM-183 ARRW with a request of $345.7 million by fiscal year 2027 and a total of $1.7 billion through fiscal year 2030. These funds would be used for both the ARRW Increment 2 program, which adds enhanced capabilities, and the new air-launched ballistic missile (ALBM).
The service previously said it had no intention of continuing the program, which had some problems with multiple failed test flights. However, the Air Force completed the planned test campaign, collecting data that would be used to further mature hypersonic technologies.
The fiscal year 2026 budget request already mentioned the Air Force’s intention to use the new Load Adaptive Modular (LAM) pylons to employ the B-1B as a test bed for hypersonic weapons. Boeing, the maker of the new pylons, similarly said that “the Air Force intends to use the B-1 and pylons to test hypersonic weapons in the near term.”
Boeing explained that the B-1 can accommodate six pylons, each capable of carrying two 2,000-pound weapons or a future weapon weighing more than 5,000 pounds. The turrets will be installed on the external hardpoints that were initially present on the B-1B and later removed.
The weight of the ARRW has not been officially confirmed, although it is estimated to be approximately 5,000 pounds. This would mean that the B-1B could one day be authorized to carry up to six AGM-183 hypersonic weapons under its fuselage.
The service previously said ARRW is intended to provide a high-speed, offensive strike capability to destroy high-value, time-sensitive ground targets in anti-access/area denial environments.
