{"id":136096,"date":"2026-03-10T23:11:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-10T17:41:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=136096"},"modified":"2026-03-10T18:26:55","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T12:56:55","slug":"us-air-force-plans-massive-stand-in-attack-weapon-production","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2026\/03\/10\/us-air-force-plans-massive-stand-in-attack-weapon-production\/","title":{"rendered":"Largest Air Force in the World Plans Massive Stand-in Attack Weapon Production for F-35, F-47 and B-21"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

FLORIDA-<\/strong> The US Air Force<\/a> seeks additional industry sources to produce the Stand-in Attack Weapon (SiAW) or an equivalent system compatible with the F-47 fighter and B-21 Raider stealth bomber.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A sources sought notice on SAM.gov outlines requirements for the all-up-round missile, logistics elements, trainers, flyout model, and system verification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This market research initiative gauges vendor capabilities amid rising munitions demands. It supports Northrop Grumman’s lead role while exploring production scalability for contested environments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Largest
Photo: US Air Force | X<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

US Air Force Advanced Stand-in Attack Weapon Research<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center\u2019s weapons office at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida (VPS), posted the notice on SAM.gov as a Request for Information (RFI).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This market research tool identifies firms ready to deliver systems with capabilities similar to or better than SiAW, without issuing a formal solicitation. Responses must arrive by March 19, enabling the service to evaluate industry depth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reported by Defense News<\/a>, the SiAW functions as a supersonic air-to-ground missile that rapidly strikes mobile targets in contested areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These targets include integrated air defense systems, ballistic missile launchers, GPS jammers, and antisatellite systems. The design ensures high lethality with a high probability of kill against diverse threats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Compatibility drives the effort. The notice requires integration with the F-35 Lightning II<\/a> (initial platform), F-16 Fighting Falcon<\/a>, Boeing’s F-47<\/a> Next-Generation Air Dominance fighter, and B-21 Raider stealth bomber.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This marks the first public Air Force acquisition document naming the F-47 for a specific weapon system. The Air Force previously confirmed F-35 as the SiAW’s starting platform and indicated B-21 compatibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Northrop Grumman secured a $705 million contract in September 2023 to develop and test SiAW, after an initial phase that engaged Lockheed Martin<\/a> and L3Harris. The firm delivered the first SiAW test missile in November 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It then completed a successful F-16 separation test in December 2025, confirming safe release from existing fighters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Largest
Photo- US Air Force<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Integration with Future US Combat Aircraft<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The sources sought notice lists platform compatibility requirements for several aircraft. These include the F-35 Lightning II, F-16 Fighting Falcon, Boeing F-47 Next-Generation Air Dominance fighter, and the B-21 Raider stealth bomber.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This document marks the first time the F-47 fighter has appeared by name in a public US Air Force acquisition document linked to a specific weapon system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The F-35<\/a> is expected to be the first aircraft to carry the missile, while the B-21 bomber may also integrate the weapon as part of its long-range strike capability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: United States Armed Forces<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Key Technical Requirements<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Stand-in Attack Weapon is designed as a supersonic air-to-ground missile capable of striking high-value mobile targets in heavily contested environments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Target categories include integrated air defense systems, ballistic missile launchers, GPS jammers, and antisatellite capabilities. These targets typically operate within advanced electronic warfare environments that challenge conventional precision weapons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Air Force outlined several core performance requirements. The missile must provide an extended standoff range so aircraft can engage targets without entering heavily defended airspace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The system must also include an advanced anti-radiation seeker capable of targeting frequency-agile radar systems and low-probability-of-intercept sensors. Precision navigation using GPS and inertial guidance with strong anti-jamming protection is also required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additional requirements include robust electronic counter-countermeasures and the ability to reattack a target if the first strike fails.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II; Photo- Wikipedia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Production Capacity and Program Timeline<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The SiAW program advances through a Middle Tier Acquisition Rapid Prototyping phase to accelerate delivery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The notice envisions a 48-month performance period from award, targeting first production lots in 2030. Fiscal 2026 budgets fund prototype development through the first quarter of fiscal 2027.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vendors must provide open architecture standards for future upgrades. Production targets reach up to 600 all-up-rounds per year, each with a 15-year service life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This capacity addresses stockpiles strained by operations like Epic Fury against simulated Iranian forces, as noted in a Center for Strategic and International Studies report published Thursday. That report highlights risks to munitions reserves and industrial base limits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: USAF | Wikimedia Commons\nhttps:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:B-21-in-flight.jpg<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Industrial Capacity Concerns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The outreach to industry comes as the US military<\/a> reviews the resilience of its munitions supply chain and production capacity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concerns about munitions stockpiles and industrial base readiness have grown following Operation Epic Fury against Iran.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies highlighted the importance of expanding missile production capacity to support potential high-intensity conflicts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Air Force did not explain why it is seeking additional vendors capable of producing a SiAW equivalent. The notice also does not indicate whether the effort could affect the existing Northrop Grumman program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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US Air Force to Deploy More Bombers, Fighters Into Iran Conflict as War Intensifies<\/a><\/blockquote>