The Air Force has granted Northrop Grumman a $705 million contract to develop a new ground-attack missile for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, aiming for initial operational functionality by 2026. Northrop emerged as the sole awardee for Phase 2 of the Stand-in Attack Weapon (SiAW) program. Meanwhile, L3Harris and Lockheed Martin opted out of the program’s second phase, citing concerns and their focus on other opportunities with the Air Force.
Key Points:
- The Air Force’s $705 million award to Northrop Grumman is for Phase 2 of the SiAW, with goals set for 2026.
- Previously, three major contractors – Northrop, Lockheed Martin, and L3Harris – were involved in the final stage of the SiAW’s first phase.
- L3Harris and Lockheed Martin decided not to continue with Phase 2, with both companies expressing future interests in Air Force projects.
- The SiAW program aims to enhance the Air Force’s arsenal against a variety of targets, including cruise missile launchers and GPS jammers.
- The total budget for the SiAW rapid prototyping endeavor is projected to be $1.14 billion, with future integration planned for the F-35A and other potential platforms.
