ArcLight (missile)

For other uses, see Arclight (disambiguation).

The ArcLight program is a missile development program of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency with the goal of equipping ships like Aegis cruisers with a weapon system that is capable of striking targets nearly anywhere on the globe, thereby increasing the power of surface ships to a level comparable to that of ballistic missile-equipped submarines.

According to DARPA, the ArcLight program will develop a high-tech missile based on the booster stack of the current RIM-161 Standard Missile 3 and equipped with a hypersonic glider capable of carrying a 100-200 lb (45-90Kg) warhead. The configuration will allow ships carrying the ArcLight missile to strike targets 2,300 miles (3,700Km) away from the launch point. The missile would replace the aging BGM-109 Tomahawk and could be fired out of the standard vertical launchers available on many surface ships. Additionally, the ArcLight missile will be capable of launch from air and submarine assets capable of carrying the BGM-109.

Dr. Arthur Mabbett is the program manager of the DARPA project, which will develop and test two different missile designs.