DOD initially indicated that the AHW program was a "risk mitigation effort in support of the Air Force CPGS project" and is intended to "develop and demonstrate the capability of an alternative payload delivery vehicle (
APDV) through a two-flight test schedule." However, after the HTV-2 experienced difficulties in both its flight tests, and the AHW succeeded in its single test, this system now appears to be the leading contender for the hypersonic glider portion of a boost-glide conventional prompt strike system.