The U.S. Air Force is seeking additional suppliers who could produce the mysterious SiAW (Stand-in Attack Weapon) supersonic air-to-surface missile or its analogs, which will be compatible with a range of combat aircraft including fourth-generation F-16 fighters, fifth-generation F-35, sixth-generation F-47, as well as newest B-21 bombers.
A corresponding announcement was published on government website SAM.gov, which Defense News noted. By March 19, the U.S. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center Armament Directorate (Eglin Air Force Base) wants to explore the market for companies that could produce a missile with characteristics analogous to SiAW or even having improved capabilities.
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Specifically increased range, improved anti-radiation seeker (recall SiAW is primarily considered as a means of combating enemy air defense, with the missile using developments from naval forces' AARGM-ER anti-radiation missile, though overall the missile should be used against a wide spectrum of targets), high-precision navigation with jamming suppression, electronic warfare assets, and target re-attack option.
The Air Force wants production rates up to 600 SiAW missiles per year with 15-year service life. It is noted that efforts to search for additional suppliers for this missile are primarily related to the insane level of ammunition expenditure by American military during Operation Epic Fury against iran.
On one hand, searching for additional SiAW suppliers from the perspective of having more such missiles in the future appears quite logical. On the other hand, they are seeking not just those who could make such or analogous missiles, but also with improved characteristics.
It turns out that as of today, it is unclear how this may affect current SiAW project implementation. Recall that back in 2023, Northrop Grumman received a $705 million contract for SiAW development and testing for three years. In 2024, the first test sample was delivered, while last year tests were conducted separating from F-16 fighter.
Given that among other things the U.S. Air Force seeks not only additional suppliers but also an improved variant, it turns out the service decided to revise its requirements for the newest missile given modern battlefield needs.
Interestingly, the published request turned out to be the first official U.S. Air Force document publicly discussing procurements related to the newest sixth-generation F-47 fighter, which was presented last year.
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