Lockheed, Northrop, L3Harris have been awarded a $15,000,000 each for all activities associated with the statement of objectives as well as the contractor's proposal for Phase 1.2 of the Stand-in Attack Weapon (SiAW) meant for F-35 and other UAF jets.
SiAW will allow F-35 pilots to engage targets on the ground such as air defense system with a fast-moving missile before the target can get a missile off or relocate elsewhere. In its cross-hairs will be ballistic missile launchers, air defense systems such as the Russian S-400 or Chinese HQ-9.
The small form factor of the SiAW combined with a speed of around Mach 4 will enable it get past enemy radars. Loaded into the internal weapons bay of the stealthy F-35, it can be launched after penetrating the enemy's air defense zone.
Work will be performed in Orlando, Florida, and is expected to be complete by Feb. 25, 2023, a Pentagon release said Friday.
Fiscal 2022 Air Force research and development funds are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity.