US Air Force Shifts Hypersonic Weapon Focus After ARRW Test Failures

The revival of supersonic and hypersonic flight technology is gaining momentum under President Trump's administration, marked by the lifting of the 1970s supersonic ban through the "Making Aviation Great Again" order. This policy change opens the possibility for commercial supersonic flights that address previous issues like sonic booms, potentially revolutionizing air travel with much faster flight times. Colorado-based Boom Supersonic, led by former Amazon engineer Blake Scholl, is developing the Overture jet aiming to drastically reduce flight durations, despite financial challenges and skepticism about operational costs. However, environmental and social concerns have been raised regarding noise pollution, environmental impact, and equitable access, emphasizing the need for sustainable and inclusive aviation advancements. Meanwhile, in the defense sector, hypersonic weapons such as the ARRW missile program are under development by Lockheed Martin, though the program faces testing and infrastructure challenges, with focus shifting toward the Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile (HACM). Additionally, Colorado start-up Ursa Major is pioneering advanced propulsion with its Hadley liquid rocket engines, powering hypersonic test flights and signaling a surge of innovative private-sector involvement in hypersonic technology both in defense and space applications.