Air-launched Weapons

[ADMk2]

I wonder if they can't put a small warhead on these, I presume they've already got a gps/ins guidance package on-board?

If they're just going to be crashing into the ground anyway...

[buglerbilly]

Its a 300lb system so not much room for warhead BUT there is this...............


A 3rd MALD type, MALD-V, would have an open payload space for insertion of modular surveillance gear, jammers, or other equipment. This may provide the go-forward architecture, and give the option of turning MALD into a UAV, or even a combination UAV/decoy.

You could have a Hunter/Killer arrangement with one variant of MALD decoying and active jamming (MALD-J) with the other variant (MALD-V) carrying a 20-30lb warhead for counter-radar tasking and destruction. Considering its maximum 500NM range or far less with Loiter capability THAT could prove of interest............

[ADMk2]

Especially as it's only internals that would change, the outer shell wouldn't so as long as everything was balanced inside properly you wouldn't need expensive aerodynamic, flight and separation testing for each new variant...

[Gubler, A.]

Its a 300lb system so not much room for warhead BUT there is this..................

40 lbs is enough for a 105mm HE shell which is enough to knock down most buildings and generally ruin anyone's day. Most of the shell weight is the steel of the casing. The explosive filler of a 105mm shell is only 5 lbs.

[buglerbilly]

Sparton Awarded $8.9 Million High Altitude Anti-Submarine Warfare (HAASW) Technology Development Subcontract

(Source: Sparton Corporation; issued September 6, 2011)

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. --- Sparton Corporation is announcing a United States Navy award of an $8.9 million subcontract for sonobuoy design enhancements under the High Altitude Anti-Submarine Warfare (HAASW) Technology Development program.

Tasks to develop, integrate and test a digital data link and Global Positioning System (GPS) into the AN/SSQ-101A production sonobuoy and a Global Positioning System and analog data link in the AN/SSQ-53 and AN/SSQ-62 sonobuoys are included as part of the program.

Under the company’s ERAPSCO joint venture, these engineering design services will be performed at the Sparton DeLeon Springs, Florida facility and are expected to be complete by February 2013. ERAPSCO is a joint venture between Sparton and USSI, a subsidiary of Ultra Electronics Holdings PLC.

HAASW modified sonobuoys, including a new AN/SSQ-101A digital data link and the addition of GPS, significantly augments the ASW mission for the new P-8 Poseidon aircraft and the worldwide capability of other U.S. Navy aircraft platforms. As part of the Technology Development effort, ERAPSCO will build a small quantity of the HAASW modified sonobuoys to support U.S. Navy tests. Qualification of the ERAPSCO built HAASW modified sonobuoy is anticipated in subsequent contracts.

“Sparton is firmly committed to the development of innovative technology and to supplying the U.S. Navy with quality products that help secure our borders. We are proud to continue in our role as a technology partner for the U.S. Navy for this next generation product,” said Cary Wood, president and CEO, Sparton Corporation.

Currently headquartered in Schaumburg, Sparton is the only U.S.-owned designer and manufacturer of sonobuoys for the U.S. Navy.

Sparton Corporation, now in its 111th year, is a provider of complex and sophisticated electromechanical devices with capabilities that include concept development, industrial design, design and manufacturing engineering, production, distribution, and field service. The primary market classifications served are Navigation & Exploration, Defense & Security, Medical, and Complex Systems. Headquartered in Schaumburg, IL, Sparton currently has five manufacturing locations worldwide.

-ends-

[buglerbilly]

Lockheed Martin Receives $100.5 Million Contract for paveway II Plus Laser Guided Bomb Kits



16:27 GMT, September 6, 2011 ARCHBALD, Pa.| Lockheed Martin received a $100.5 million contract from the U.S. Air Force for production of paveway II Plus Laser Guided Bomb (LGB) GBU-12 guidance kits.

The award to Lockheed Martin represents the majority share of an initial $134 million paveway II Plus LGB procurement, part of an overall $475 million five-year, firm-fixed-price, multiple-award contract announced by the U.S. Air Force on August 1.

Deliveries on the contract will begin in 2012. The GBU-12 guidance kits consist of the recently integrated MAU-209C/B computer control group, which contains the electronic guidance system, and the MXU-650 air foil group, which provides lift and stability to the weapons. Lockheed Martin's paveway II Plus LGB guidance kits significantly improve weapon accuracy and reduce risk to U.S. and allied ground forces when compared to the legacy paveway II weapons.

Lockheed Martin is currently producing paveway II Plus LGB GBU-12 kits for the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy as part of a $34 million U.S. Air Force contract awarded in 2010.

"The Lockheed Martin paveway II Plus LGB raises the bar in performance for paveway II accuracy and precision," said Joe Serra, senior manager for precision guided systems in Lockheed Martin's Missiles and Fire Control business. "This contract is a testament to our commitment to continuous product improvement, combined with our ability to deliver a better performing product to our customer at the lowest cost."

Lockheed Martin's LGB kits can be carried on U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy and most international aircraft platforms currently authorized to carry and release LGBs. The paveway II Plus LGB does not require upgrades or modifications to aircraft, ground handling equipment or logistics support, and continues the same basic paveway II concept of operation for employment by converting conventional gravity weapons into precision-guided munitions.

Lockheed Martin is a qualified provider of all three variants of paveway II MK-80 series LGBs, and is the sole provider of the paveway II Enhanced Laser Guided Training Round and Dual Mode Laser Guided Bomb. Lockheed Martin has delivered more than 55,000 LGB kits to the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy and international customers. Laser guided bombs have been used successfully in Operation Iraqi Freedom and current overseas contingency operations.

[buglerbilly]

Ares

A Defense Technology Blog

AFRL to Give Bunker-Busting a Boost

Posted by Graham Warwick at 9/13/2011 12:10 PM CDT

Declaring that hard and deeply buried targets -- command bunkers and other facilities -- are becoming more numerous and difficult to defeat, the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory is seeking ideas for technologies to be incorporated into a high-velocity penetrating weapon -- a 2,000lb munition that would fit inside an F-35 but have the bunker-busting capability of a 5,000lb weapon.

According to a newly released broad agency announcement (BAA), the goal of AFRL's High Velocity Penetrating Weapon (HVPW) Flagship Capability Concept (FCC) is to "reduce technical risk for the eventual demonstration of air-delivered weapons with increased kinetic energy derived from boosting the velocity of the warhead before impact to better penetrate into the target."


Graphics: AFRL

Rocket boosting may seem a logical way to give a 2,000lb weapon, small enough to be carried internally by an F-35, the penetrating capability of the 5,000lb GBU-28 gravity-dropped bomb (below), but it poses some technical problems, including guiding the weapon to a precisely angled impact and ensuring its warhead and fuze survive the high-velocity penetration to explode inside the bunker.


Photo: US Air Force

According to an AFRL presentation on the HVPW, boosting with a rocket introduces issues in controlling a weapon that must strike its target, which could be slanted, at a precise angle to ensure it penetrates and doesn't bounce off. These include motor misalignment, control authority and the adverse effects of acceleration and vibration.

The BAA says: "The guidance associated with the penetrators must be robust enough to overcome GPS degraded environments and orient warhead impact to stringent angle-of-attack and angle-of-obliquity requirements." Obliquity is how far off perpendicular the weapon impacts the target and is coupled to its angle of attack, which in turn affects its controllability.

Research is planned into anti-jam GPS, angle-of-attack sensing, guidance laws and RF seekers. "Of particular interest with the use of an RF seeker are the use of multilateration and offset tracking guidance concepts. The engagement of featureless fixed targets must provide information for guidance alignment of the weapon before and during boost, provide off-boresight tracking of features and derive guidance estimates for closed-loop offset guidance," the BAA says.



The BAA makes clear the "HVPW FCC will not integrate all sub-components into a 'full-up round' ... The objective is to develop subsystem and component technologies to a maturity level sufficient to transition to a potential technology demonstration program beginning in FY14." Development of an integrated flight-test vehicle is not part of the FCC, but a survivable ordnance package (casing, warhead and fuze) is to be sled-tested.

[buglerbilly]

DATE:14/09/11

SOURCE:Flight International

DSEi: Turkish cruise missile design breaks cover

By Craig Hoyle

Turkey has performed a successful first flight test with an indigenously-developed cruise missile design, which the nation hopes could eventually be integrated with its future fleet of Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighters.

Developed by the Defence Industries Research and Development Institute, or Tubitak Sage, the modular stand-off missile (SOM) design was released by a McDonnell Douglas F-4E 2020 strike aircraft on 9 August.

"The missile hit its target with a high accuracy by covering a distance of over 100nm [185km]," Tubitak Sage said.




All images © Tubitak Sage

The institute is displaying a full-scale model of the weapon at the Defence & Security Equipment International (DSEi) exhibition in London, UK.

In addition to the recent test involving the F-4E Phantom, Tubitak Sage is also currently working on the integration of the SOM design with the Lockheed F-16 Block 40 fighter for the Turkish air force.

Installation trials have already been performed (below), with the remaining work expected to conclude later this year. A production order is anticipated later, with this to potentially prompt interest from export customers, the institute said.



Material released by Tubitak Sage describes the SOM as having a release weight of 600kg (1,300lb), including a high-explosive warhead weighing 230kg.

Intended targets for the turbojet-powered design are cited as including command and control facilities, surface-to-air missile sites, parked aircraft and surface ships.

Guidance is provided by using inertial navigation system/global positioning satellite equipment and a terrain-referenced navigation system, with the use of pre-programmed waypoints to avoid air defence assets.

During its terminal attack phase, the weapon's intended target is verified by using an imaging infrared seeker. Its accuracy is described as being "within a few metres".


The SOM cruise missile could eventually arm Turkey's F-35 Joint Strike Fighters

"SOM is currently being developed as three variants, in accordance with the requirements of the Turkish air force," said Tubitak Sage. These include the provision of different warhead options.

[buglerbilly]

Lockheed Martin Surpasses 8,600 Hours of Testing on Low-Risk JAGM Seeker

(Source: Lockheed Martin; issued Sept. 13, 2011)

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Lockheed Martin has performed more than 8,600 hours of tests on its Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) cooled seeker, proving its operational capability and low risk.

Lockheed Martin's cooled seeker technology is a primary discriminator in its pursuit of the U.S. Army's JAGM competition. The cooled seeker design provides longer range targeting than an uncooled seeker, which is critical to aircrew safety in the presence of air defense systems. Additionally, a cooled seeker delivers clearer imagery than an uncooled seeker.

"We have thoroughly tested our JAGM seeker in all operational conditions, confirming our decision to go with the cooled seeker design," said Frank St. John, vice president of tactical missiles in Lockheed Martin's Missiles and Fire Control business. "A cooled seeker provides the increased performance that is required to destroy the full range of JAGM targets in all operational conditions at safe standoff ranges."

The seeker tests included lab, van, tower and captive flight tests on Lockheed Martin's tri-mode seeker variants. Hardware-in-the-loop environmental tests and missile flight tests were also performed, including 3,000 hours of testing during the program's Technology Demonstration phase. Testing also included data collection against a variety of targets (heavy armor, littoral, stationary and moving) over a range of environmental and countermeasure conditions, providing unparalleled real-world data for development, verification and validation of the seeker algorithms.

Work on the Lockheed Martin JAGM program will be performed in Orlando and Ocala, Fla., and Troy, Ala., as well at suppliers' facilities across the U.S. and in the UK. Contract award is expected in late 2011.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 126,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation's 2010 sales from continuing operations were $45.8 billion.

-ends-

[buglerbilly]

DSEi 2011: Raytheon nears Talon production contract

September 14, 2011

Raytheon is in discussion with the UAE government for a production contract of its Talon laser-guided rocket following qualification tests on a US Army AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopter, it has been revealed.

At the DSEi exhibition in London on 13 September the company announced it had completed testing of Talon, which is being developed under a cooperative development agreement with Emirates Advanced Investment Group, from Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona.

Richard Rhinehart, Raytheon director of international business, confirmed to Shephard that the July tests had resulted in seven direct hits from the Apache.

He said the Talon was now ready for production and negotiations for a launch contract with the UAE are ongoing.

While Rhinehart was unable to comment on likely specifications or order numbers in terms of any UAE contract, he said the Talon had been tested at both longer and shorter ranges in comparison to the US Navy’s Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS).

According to Raytheon, the tests included firing from hovering and moving platforms and engagement of targets from 1.2 km to 6.0 km ranges. The company claims Talon is the only laser-guided rocket kit that has achieved an air-launched direct hit from a range of 1.2 km.

The seven test flights, which were conducted using production configuration, included two tactical warhead shots.

Talon is one of a number of offerings that comprise semi-active laser guidance and control kit that connects directly to the front of 2.75-inch unguided rockets.

Rhinehart said there was a ‘ready upgrade path’ for a lock on before launch version of Talon for those customers that wanted such a variant.

The nature of the conflict in Afghanistan has placed a premium on precision and contained effect, leading many companies to develop such guidance kits for in-service rockets such as the Hydra 70 as a low-cost alternative to the Hellfire missile.

However, the US Army, the largest potential user of such a solution, transferred the APKWS II contract to the US Navy in 2008.

Tony Skinner, London

[buglerbilly]

Wednesday, September 14, 2011, 09:17 PM

MBDA advances the FASGW/ANL Future Anti Surface Guided Weapon programme at DSEI 2011

Since being launched as a Joint Assessment Phase in 2009, MBDA has been successfully developing the technical maturity data of the main FASGW(H)/ANL (Future Anti Surface Guided Weapon (Heavy)/Anti Navire Leger) sub-systems that highlight the forward momentum of this important Anglo-French missile programme.


FASGW/ANL Actual size model displayed during DSEI 2011

High speed wind tunnel trials have been performed on a representative scale model of the missile and confirm the chosen original design. Gas gun firings have been achieved and validate the warhead design. Motor firings have been carried out to confirm performance in various thermal environments. Sea trials of data link terminal and missile antenna have been carried out under a wide range of sea states and weather conditions. Main missile sensors, such as the seeker and the radio-altimeter have been trialled at sea or in simulation so as to gather the necessary data for the Demonstration & Manufacture phase.

“As planned, the Assessment Phase contract has now delivered a system design and the necessary sub-systems proof of maturity”, Antoine Bouvier Chief Executive Officer of MBDA said. “I am confident that these results together with the discussions we are having with the two national customers will allow us to enter soon into the Demonstration & Manufacture phase and confirm FASGW(H)/ANL as a cornerstone of Anglo-French cooperation in the Complex Weapons Sector.


The FASGW/ANL will equip Royal Navy shipbased helicopters like this Lynx onboard HMS Dauntless

FASGW(H)/ANL is a Helicopter Launched Anti-Surface Guided Missile aimed at delivering a solution to meet the UK and French military requirements. The weapon is designed to undertake both offensive and defensive maritime missions against targets ranging from Corvette sized vessels to Fast Inshore Attack Craft. The missile is designed for the AW159 Lynx Wildcat, NH90 and Panther.

With industrial facilities in four European countries and within the USA, in 2010 MBDA achieved a turnover of € 2.8 billion with an order book of € 10.8 billion. With more than 90 armed forces customers in the world, MBDA is a world leader in missiles and missile systems.

MBDA is the only group capable of designing and producing missiles and missile systems that correspond to the full range of current and future operational needs of the three armed forces (land, sea and air). In total, the group offers a range of 45 missile systems and countermeasures products already in operational service and more than 15 others currently in development.

MBDA is jointly held by BAE SYSTEMS (37.5%), EADS (37.5%) and FINMECCANICA (25%).

[ADMk2]

[QUOTE=buglerbilly;21210]DATE:14/09/11

SOURCE:Flight International

DSEi: Turkish cruise missile design breaks cover

Had a close look at the Tauras KEPD-350 have they???



:D

[buglerbilly]

Probably designed it off the brochure..............:owned

[buglerbilly]

DATE:15/09/11

SOURCE:Flight International

DSEi: MBDA reveals fresh order for dual-mode Brimstone

By Craig Hoyle

MBDA has received a fresh order to supply the UK Royal Air Force with additional dual-mode seeker-equipped Brimstone air-to-surface missiles. The measure is intended to replenish stocks used by its Panavia Tornado GR4s over Afghanistan and Libya.

The deal was signed with the Ministry of Defence on 11 August, but announced by European missile manufacturer MBDA at the Defence & Security Equipment International (DSEi) exhibition in London on 14 September.

Originally intended for use against targets such as armoured ground vehicles, the UK's Brimstone weapons were delivered equipped with a millimetre-wave radar seeker design incompatible with the rules of engagement established for current conflicts.

Developed under an urgent operational requirement deal, the dual-mode seeker modification first saw combat use in Afghanistan in 2008, bringing with it the required ability to positively identify targets.


© Crown Copyright

MBDA received a first replenishment contract in December 2010, to replace the seekers on 150 more missiles for the UK, and deliveries of this order started mid-2011.

"To achieve the demanding requirement to sustain simultaneous theatres of operation, MBDA demonstrated its ability to 'surge' supply when called upon," the company said.

"This ability to innovate, and then rally to the support of our domestic customer in their time of need, is intrinsic to the strong relationship we have developed under the portfolio management agreement we signed with the MoD in March 2010," said MBDA UK managing director Steve Wadey.

Use of the dual-mode Brimstone in Afghanistan and Libya has resulted in a mission success rate of more than 98%, MBDA said. The company identified targets engaged as including main battle tanks, armoured fighting vehicles, rocket-launcher-equipped pick-up trucks and even an antenna for a coastal radar battery.

"In Libya, state of the art precision weapons, such as Brimstone, have allowed NATO forces to prosecute a dynamic campaign within the terms of the UN resolution," UK defence secretary Dr Liam Fox said at the show on 13 September.

MBDA has cited "worldwide interest" in the dual-mode Brimstone design, with the MoD having previously named France and the USA as potential future buyers.

At DSEi, the company announced that the weapon could also potentially be adapted for launch from maritime platforms.

Separately, the UK is also looking to buy more Paveway IV precision-guided bombs to support RAF operations over Afghanistan and Libya.

"We have received a request for proposals from the MoD for Paveway IV replenishment, which we are responding to," said David Croft, business area manger, weapons, for UK-based Raytheon Systems.

The 226kg (500lb) Paveway IV provides the Panavia Tornado GR4 with an all-weather capability against ground targets.

[buglerbilly]

Raytheon Delivers First Eight Tactically Configured Miniature Air Launched Decoy Jammers

Sep 14, 2011

LONDON, Sept. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) delivered the first eight Miniature Air Launched Decoy Jammer initial operational test and evaluation units to the U.S. Air Force. During IOT&E, the Air Force will conduct numerous flight tests on the MALD®-J to evaluate the system in operationally realistic and demanding scenarios.

MALD® is a state-of-the-art, low-cost flight vehicle that is modular, air-launched and programmable. It weighs less than 300 pounds and has a range of approximately 500 nautical miles (about 575 statute miles). MALD protects aircrews and their aircraft by duplicating the combat flight profiles and signatures of U.S. and allied aircraft. The MALD-J adds radar-jamming capability to the basic MALD platform.

"Because MALD-J offers the warfighter stand-in jamming capability, the need for aviators to fly to conduct dangerous jamming missions will be greatly reduced once the system reaches initial operational capability in late 2012," said Harry Schulte, Raytheon Missile Systems' vice president of Air Warfare Systems. "The MALD family is versatile, flexible and modular, and can carry almost any payload the warfighter can imagine, including indigenously produced jammers and electronic packages."

[buglerbilly]

More on this, see post above for pics.............

MBDA Advances the FASGW/ANL Programme

(Source: MBDA; issued Sept. 16, 2011)

Since being launched as a Joint Assessment Phase in 2009, MBDA has been successfully developing the technical maturity data of the main FASGW(H)/ANL (Future Anti Surface Guided Weapon (Heavy)/Anti Navire Leger) sub-systems that highlight the forward momentum of this important Anglo-French missile programme.

High speed wind tunnel trials have been performed on a representative scale model of the missile and confirm the chosen original design. Gas gun firings have been achieved and validate the warhead design. Motor firings have been carried out to confirm performance in various thermal environments. Sea trials of data link terminal and missile antenna have been carried out under a wide range of sea states and weather conditions. Main missile sensors, such as the seeker and the radio-altimeter have been trialled at sea or in simulation so as to gather the necessary data for the Demonstration & Manufacture phase.

“As planned, the Assessment Phase contract has now delivered a system design and the necessary sub-systems proof of maturity”, Antoine Bouvier Chief Executive Officer of MBDA said. “I am confident that these results together with the discussions we are having with the two national customers will allow us to enter soon into the Demonstration & Manufacture phase and confirm FASGW(H)/ANL as a cornerstone of Anglo-French cooperation in the Complex Weapons Sector.”

FASGW(H)/ANL is a Helicopter Launched Anti-Surface Guided Missile aimed at delivering a solution to meet the UK and French military requirements. The weapon is designed to undertake both offensive and defensive maritime missions against targets ranging from Corvette sized vessels to Fast Inshore Attack Craft. The missile is designed for the AW159 Lynx Wildcat, NH90 and Panther.

With industrial facilities in four European countries and within the USA, in 2010 MBDA achieved a turnover of EUR 2.8 billion with an order book of EUR 10.8 billion. With more than 90 armed forces customers in the world, MBDA is a world leader in missiles and missile systems. MBDA is jointly held by BAE Systems (37.5%), EADS (37.5%) and Finmeccanica (25%).

-ends-

[buglerbilly]

DATE:19/09/11

SOURCE:Flight International

AMRAAM funding cut passed by Senate appropriators

By Stephen Trimble

The US Congress is set to wipe out funding for 379 medium-range air-to-air missiles in the fiscal year 2012 budget.

Senate appropriators have passed a FY2012 budget proposal that would slash all procurement of the Raytheon AIM-120D AMRAAM, including 218 missiles for the US Air Force and 161 for the US Navy.

The Senate panel's vote comes three months after the House of Representatives also passed a FY2012 budget that proposed to eliminate orders for the AIM-120D.

Both versions have to be approved by a joint committee and signed by US President Barack Obama before the budget is passed into law.

No explanation for the budget cut was offered in the Senate's report on the appropriations bill. However, the House committee's report blamed its funding reduction for AMRAAM on Raytheon's production system.

As of June, the company's production backlog was behind by about 100 missiles.

The House also noted that the USAF was still negotiating terms on the previous year's contract for AIM-120Ds.

Raytheon declined to comment on the latest Senate move.

The AIM-120D is the latest variant of the AMRAAM family to enter production. It adds a two-way data link and extended range.

[buglerbilly]

DATE:22/09/11

SOURCE:Flight International

Lockheed Martin stays in competition to replace AMRAAM, HARM with new missile

By Stephen Trimble

A Lockheed Martin/Northrop Grumman team has revealed plans to compete for a contract to replace two Raytheon missiles - the AIM-120 AMRAAM and AGM-88 HARM - despite being shut out of a series of technology development contract awards.

A notional concept for the US Air Force's next generation missile (NGM) was displayed in Lockheed's exhibit at the Air Force Association's annual convention in Washington DC.

The missile showed a standard AMRAAM, with four control fins mounted on the mid-body and the tail of the missile. It was not clear how the notional concept compares to the Lockheed/Northrop team's internal designs.

The USAF is planning to release a request for proposals to industry in late 2012, said Chuck Morant, Lockheed's manager of strike weapons business development.


© Stephen Trimble/Flightglobal

Lockheed also confirmed that its partnership with Northrop remains active, and that the US firms have invested internal research and development funding in the NGM concept.

US aerospace and defence firm Alliant Techsystems (ATK) has dropped out of the Lockheed/Northrop team that was originally announced in July 2008, Morant added.

The NGM, previously known as the joint dual-role air dominance missile, is being designed to equip the Lockheed F-22 and F-35 with a long-range missile that can strike other aircraft or surface-to-air missile systems.

The missile must also be small enough to be stored inside an internal weapons bay.

Boeing and Raytheon each received competitive awards last year from the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to complete an advanced missile demonstration under the triple target terminator (T3) programme.

The T3 programme was launched after Boeing was awarded a series of technology development awards by the Air Force Research Laboratory, to work on a new directional warhead and a new kind of seeker with an integrated fuse.

Each of the technologies is expected to feed into the advanced NGM programme.

The USAF plans to launch the competitive prototype demonstration programme next year, according to acquisition documents.

[buglerbilly]

After Libya, Europe Eyes Precision Arms

Sep 22, 2011

By Robert Wall
London



NATO-led operations in support of rebels in Libya clearly demonstrated that where Europe has precision weapons, they can be highly effective. But the campaign also revealed that European weapon inventories are lacking in depth and breadth.

France relied heavily on its AASM precision-guided munition, while the Royal Air Force used so many of its Dual-Mode Brimstones it both redeployed some from Afghanistan to the Libya campaign and asked MBDA to surge production in the second urgent operational requirement effort for the weapon.

The conflict in North Africa did not spark a broad review of Europe’s precision-guided munitions capacity, but the results of a precision-guided ammunition study already under way could lead to some of the gaps being plugged.

In conjunction with the European Defense Agency (EDA), a team of European weapons and ordnance makers is close to completing a major assessment of the precision-guided munition industrial base. It is one of several EDA efforts to better understand the region’s defense industrial landscape. The goal is to devise a road map to assure that industry is on a stronger footing by 2020 in producing indirect fire support ordnance.

Early results of the assessment point to a need for greater collaboration between countries and for munitions that can strike moving targets, have smaller effects to avoid harming bystanders and are capable of aborting an attack at the last minute.

The assessment is also bringing into focus potential shortfalls, such as the diminishment of skills needed for guidance and control of high-end guided ammunition. These skills could become more rare because of losses in guided missiles and aircraft know-how in this niche area, warns the industry study head, BAE Systems’ Borje Nyquist.

Technology gaps are being brought to light by the study as well. One is a lack of European defense electronics capacity to provide the munition control hardware that can withstand several thousand Gs. The industrial capacity to produce batteries that can withstand such shocks also is missing in Europe, Nyquist notes.

Because of the number of companies and countries involved, the coordination being proposed would be far greater than what Europe already is undertaking in the guided-missile sector, where France and the U.K. are trying to work together to assure sustainment of industrial capacities. Last year, the two countries committed to several missile projects, although so far many of the commitments set for this year have yet to be realized, such as the Future Air-to-Surface Guided Weapon-Heavy (FASGW(H)) anti-ship weapon, or ANL in French parlance.

France appears resolved to support its primary weapons maker, too, and recently earmarked funding for the FASGW(H) as part of a larger defense ministry agreement to finance MBDA developments. Industry officials point out that the Franco-British defense cooperation summit planned for November provides a window for the commitment to still be met.

Development of FASGW(H), meanwhile, has focused on validating the technical baseline set a year ago. That involved demonstrating maturity of the warhead and the motor, and tests of the missile data link and antenna at sea. The imaging infrared seeker also has undergone sea trials.

MBDA CEO Antoine Bouvier says in a statement that “these results, together with the discussions we are having with the two national customers, will allow us to enter soon into the demonstration and manufacture phase.” The next phase, during which the 110‑kg (240-lb.) missile with a range of more than 20 km (12.5 mi.) will undergo flight trials, is slated to run 4.5 years. The missile will initially be integrated on the U.K. AW159 Wildcat and the French Panther and NFH90 helicopters.

Not all the French spending is related to the Franco-British weapons push, though. Some of the money is earmarked for the MMP man-portable anti-tank weapon and the Aster 30 Block 1NT effort to give the weapon a ballistic missile defense capability.

The U.K. also is working independently to bolster its air defense capacity. MBDA says the Future Local Area Air Defense System (Flaads)-Maritime, built around the Common Anti-Air Modular Missile (CAAM), has completed soft launch ejection and initial turnover trials, but the CAAM has yet to begin end-to-end missile firings. The manufacturer says captive-carry trials of the missile’s radar seeker have also begun.

Another maritime effort emerging is a naval version of the Fire Shadow loitering munition that MBDA is developing for the British Army. The maritime Fire Shadow, which is not under contract, is being conceived to strike masked targets without putting aircraft at risk, says Fire Shadow program manager Chris Proctor. Aiming to minimize ship integration, the concept calls for a basic ship launcher.

Meanwhile, the army Fire Shadow program has completed further flight trials in preparation for deliveries to the Royal Artillery. Formal operator training is starting, to support deliveries to 39 Regiment next year.

Photo: MBDA

[buglerbilly]

Boeing Conducts First Tests of High Power Microwave (HPM) Missile



During the CHAMP test the missile was pointed at a set of simulated targets, confirming that the missile could be controlled and timed while using a High-powered Microwave (HPM) system against multiple targets and locations. Photo: artist concept of the CHAMP weapon

The Boeing Company has successfully completed the first flight test of a counter-electronics missile carrying a high power microwave (HPM) payload designed to zap enemy electronic system. The program called Counter-electronics High-powered Microwave Advanced Missile Project (CHAMP) is run by the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory at Kirtland AFB, N.M. The missile’s first flight test was conducted earlier this year at the Utah Test and Training Range at Hill Air Force Base. the tests did not include a live HPM payload. Under the three-year $38 million contract Boeing will provide five missiles, two of which will be integrated with HPM payloads provided by Ktech.

CHAMP is a nonlethal alternative to kinetic weapons that neutralizes electronic targets. It would allow the military to focus on these targets while minimizing or totally eliminating physical collateral damage. (Collateral damage to civilian electronic equipment could be excessive, depending on the target location, targeted spectrum bands and employment techniques). CHAMP is considered a cost effective alternative to current kinetic (explosive) weapons, that cannot penetrate hidden, underground targets. The HPM pulse can penetrate through metal elements leading into underground command centers, to damage and even destroy sensitive components in computers, power supplies or communications gear associated with the targeted systems.

During the test the missile was pointed at a set of simulated targets, confirming that the missile could be controlled and timed while using a High-powered Microwave (HPM) system against multiple targets and locations. The software used was identical to the software required for a vehicle with a fully integrated HPM system on board.

“It was as close to the real thing as we could get for this test,” said Keith Coleman, CHAMP program manager for Boeing Phantom Works. “This demonstration, which brings together the Air Force Research Laboratory’s directed energy technology and Boeing’s missile design, sets the stage for a new breed of nonlethal but highly effective weapon systems.”

For a future HPM weapon USAF planners are looking at a quick recharging payload device capable of delivering aimable multiple HPM bursts at different targets, a series of targets. Such payloads could be carried by cruise missiles or loitering platforms to maximize effect and suppression of enemy air defenses, command and control networks and national infrastructure, delivering military devastating effect at no collateral damage.

Boeing is developing CHAMP under a the three-year, $38 million joint capability technology demonstration program that includes ground and flight demonstrations that focus on technology integration risk reduction and military utility. Boeing received the contract in April 2009. As the prime contractor, airborne platform provider and system integrator. Ktech Corp. of Albuquerque, N.M. supplies the HPM source while Sandia National Laboratories provides the pulse power system under a separate contract with the Air Force Research Laboratory.

[buglerbilly]

Rafael eyes 'dolphin head' nose design for air-to-air missiles

Arie Egozi Tel Aviv

3 hours ago

Source: Flight International

The advanced dual sensors to be used in future air-to-air missiles developed by Rafael will probably involve the use of the so-called "dolphin head" nose section already employed for its Stunner missile.

Although developed as the interceptor for the David's Sling medium-range rocket and cruise missile air defence system, the company has confirmed that the Stunner is also a next-generation air-to-air missile.

Rafael sources said the dolphin head shape allows the weapon's two seekers to function simultaneously with no interference, even in "extreme conditions".



Around 4.6m (15ft) long, the Stunner uses a multi-pulse rocket motor. Its dual seeker configuration supports its employment in all weather conditions and immunity to deception and countermeasures, Israeli missile manufacturer Rafael said.

[buglerbilly]

AIM-9X Block II completes back-to-back live fires

Sep 27, 2011

NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. –The Navy recently completed two successful live fire test missions on the AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder missile at Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division in China Lake, Calif.

A team from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 31 conducted back-to-back developmental tests Aug.31 and Sept.1 to demonstrate Block II’s ability to deliver expanded air-to-air warfare capabilities.

“I am very pleased both missions achieved all test objectives,” said Capt. John Martins, Air-to Air Missile Systems program manager (PMA-259). “The team has accumulated an impressive record with nine successful live fire events in nine attempts. These tests verify the weapon’s maturity as we prepare for entry into operational test.”

During both missions, an F/A-18 aircraft fired one telemetry-equipped missile against a BQM-74 sub-scale target. The test events relied on AIM-9X Block II’s multiple enhancements including: improved lock-on-after-launch; extended range lofting fly-out profile; two way data link; and improved all weather laser fusing against small targets.

The first mission tested the weapon’s ability to fire against an extremely small target flying at low altitudes over the California desert at an extended beyond visual range. The second mission demonstrated Block II’s all-weather capability when the test pilot, flying below the 1,000 feet marine layer of clouds off the Point Mugu, Calif. coast, shot at a target flying above the clouds.

Day two’s test also incorporated the first use of GPS-enabled AN/DKT-89-3 Airborne Telemetry Equipment, enabling highly-accurate, high-rate, three dimensional time, space and position information to be collected during missile fly-out. Designed and built by the government team in China Lake, the AN-DKT-89-3 provides unprecedented real-time and post-flight data accuracy and is an extraordinary improvement in telemetry capability.

“In the past, it was extremely difficult to estimate how close the missile passed by the target,” Martins said. “This enhancement allows us to better quantify missile characteristics and endgame performance against the target.”
AIM-9X Block II, the newest variant of the venerable Sidewinder missile family, greatly improves the performance capabilities of the AIM-9X to counter advanced air-to-air threats. Recently approved for low rate initial production, AIM-9X Block II is scheduled to enter operational test in spring 2012.

PEO(U&W) Public Affairs
(301) 757-9703

[buglerbilly]

JAGM In Jeopardy Amid Budget Talks

Sep 30, 2011

By Amy Butler

I'm trying to remember if this would make it the second or third time its been cancelled?

After multiple attempts to field a single replacement for the Hellfire, TOW and Maverick missiles, the U.S. Army may once again find itself without support for the project.

The U.S. Army has been slated to select a contractor to build the so-called Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) by year’s end. Raytheon and Boeing are pitted against Lockheed Martin for the work.

“It is a program that is in trouble right now and needs a lot of support,” says Lt. Gen. Terry Robling, U.S. Marine Corps commandant for aviation. He underscored that the capability is needed by his service at a Sept. 29 breakfast hosted by the Navy League.

Robling noted that JAGM was potentially endangered, owing to Pentagon efforts to substantially curb spending in light of debt reduction talks.

JAGM would incorporate a cutting-edge tri-mode seeker capable of using semi-active laser, millimeter-wave radar and imaging infrared to hit moving targets. Much of the development’s complexity involves mating the missile with high-end fixed wing aircraft, such as the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and slower, low-altitude rotorcraft.

The weapon eventually would be used by all of the U.S. services and potentially sold to international partners.

Lockheed Martin won the precursor program, called the Joint Common Missile (JCM). But that effort was shelved owing to lack of support and problems with requirements. Because JAGM’s development has yet to begin and major funding has not yet been obligated, the program is more vulnerable to termination than efforts already under way. However, industry officials note that more than $900 million has been spent to date pursuing this capability through the JCM program, as well as on risk-reduction work leading up to JAGM.

Photo: Raytheon

[ADMk2]

A nice little vid of the Konsberg JSM / NSM that I haven't seen before. Seems they are ramping up the PR effort on this. Seems like a good fit for our Harpoon replacement, but maybe it's not quite "pushing the envelope" enough? I wonder if ADF as a whole could get the two missiles? We are still interested in a longer ranging ASM for the Romeos aren't we? NSM would fit the bill nicely I'd suggest...

[buglerbilly]

Raytheon Aims to Integrate STM on Light-Attack Aircraft

(Source: Raytheon Company; issued October 12, 2011)



WASHINGTON --- Raytheon Company is seeking to integrate its Small Tactical Munition onto a wide variety of light-attack aircraft.

STM is a new 12-pound, 22-inch-long, precision-guided, gravity-dropped weapon. Although initially designed for employment from unmanned aircraft systems, STM's small size makes it uniquely applicable to manned systems as well. STM is the smallest air-launched weapon in Raytheon's portfolio.

"STM's small size enables the warfighter to carry dozens of STMs on a multitude of light attack aircraft," said Bob Francois, vice president of Advanced Missiles and Unmanned Systems for Raytheon Missile Systems. "Instead of using an expensive system to destroy a target such as a lightly armored vehicle, the warfighter could use an STM, which costs roughly the same as a pickup truck and reduces collateral damage."

STM has foldable fins and wings, which enable the weapon to be employed from the U.S. military's common launch tube. STM incorporates a purpose-built warhead designed by Nammo-Talley and features a Kaman Aerospace electronic safe arm and fire device.

--Smallest air-launched weapon made by Raytheon at 12 pounds, 22 inches
--Originally designed for unmanned aircraft but well suited for light attack aircraft
--Costs roughly the same as a pickup truck

Raytheon Company, with 2010 sales of $25 billion, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 72,000 people worldwide.

-ends-

Photo gallery here: http://www.raytheon.com/capabilities/rtnwcm/groups/public/documents/media/rtn_rms_stm_gallery.swf

[buglerbilly]

French Air Force has Began Fielding an IR-Guided Version of the Hammer



The French Air Force has inducted a new version of the Hammer (AASM) equipped with IR terminal homing. Photo: Sagem
In July 2011 the French air force and Naval aviation began operational deployment of the infrared terminal guidance version (SBU-64) of the Hammer IR AASM modular air-to-ground weapon.

The new IR version features a guidance kit with an infrared imager in the nose cone, along with the standard hybrid GPS / inertial guidance systems. Following the initial deployment of the Hammer AASM, the French air force and navy carried out the first successful firing tests of this version of the AASM under combat conditions. According to Sagem, the new IR terminal guidance improves the Hammer’s capability to engage targets with uncertain coordinates, offering impact accuracy to within a few meters, even when GPS signals were unavailable. Missions are planned using Sagem’s own SLPRM mission planning and restitution system, already in service with the French air force and Navy.

Developed and produced by Sagem of the Safran group, the Infrared guided Hammer AASM is part of a family of air-to-ground weapons, comprising a guidance kit and range augmentation kit fitted to standard bombs. This makes the AASM a high-precision guided weapon with a range exceeding 60 kilometers. The GPS / inertial version of the AASM guided weapon, with 250 kg bombs, has been in service with the French air force since 2008, and with the French naval aviation since 2010. A new version with laser terminal guidance, capable of engaging moving targets, is now completing development. Following qualification by the DGA, it will be delivered to French armed forces in 2012.

[buglerbilly]

Brazilian President to Visit Denel to See Progress on Missile Programme

(Source: Denel (Pty) Ltd.; issued October 17, 2011)

The President of Brazil, Ms Dilma Rousseff, will visit defence manufacturer, Denel, on Monday, 17 October to evaluate progress made on a joint, missile development programme between the countries.

Talib Sadik, the Group CEO of Denel, says its subsidiary, Denel Dynamics is working alongsidevarious Brazilian industry companies on the development of the A-Darter, the5th generation, air-to-air-missile, to meet the needs of the Defence Forces of South Africa and Brazil. This project is jointly owned by the South African and Brazilian Departments of Defence. In South Africa, the missile will be integrated to the SA Air Force’s Gripen andHawk aircraft.

President Rousseff is in South Africa for the IBSA Summit hosted by President Jacob Zuma and will also be attended by the Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh.

The A-Darter missile is a five year project with a value of more than R1-billion. Advanced testing of the infra-red air-to-air missile was completed earlier this year and the final products are due for delivery to the South African and Brazilian air forces in early 2013.

“The A-Darter is the first cooperative defence programme implemented in terms of the trilateral IBSA agreement,” says Sadik. “President Rousseff’s visit will strengthen our relationship with the Brazilian defence industry and may lead to similar projects in the future.”

Brazil is hosting both the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games and is in the planning process to upgrade its air defence capabilities.

“Denel’s subsidiary, Denel Dynamics, with its proven capabilities in the design, development and manufacturing of missiles – and its strong relationship with Brazilian companies – will be in a position to benefit from possible opportunities arising from this process,” says Sadik. This is echoed by Denel Dynamics CEO Jan Wessels who highlighted the exceptional collaborative spirit between the engineering teams from Brazil and South Africa, working side by side on this ambitious programme.

“I have no doubt that the successful working relationships forged on this programme will result in further long-term collaboration between our industries”, Wessels says.

-ends-

[buglerbilly]

Budget Hawks Shoot Down Pentagon’s New Missile

By Spencer Ackerman October 19, 2011 | 6:24 pm



Uploaded by AniMill on Jan 11, 2010
This is a presentation to visualize 4 possible applications of the Joint Air-to-Ground Missile for multi-platform installation and use: a fire-and-forget anti-armor munition, an under-wing multi-target munition, a urban-militant-suppression weapon, and a littoral combat munition.

The Pentagon only has one program to upgrade its inventory of small, deadly missiles. Or it did, before impending budget cuts detonated it prematurely.

The next-gen Joint Air-to-Ground Munition, or JAGM, project aimed to put an advanced missile onto drones, manned planes and helicopters. But Inside Defense reports that the $8.3 billion missile modernization effort is on the chopping block, right before the Pentagon decides on a design for it. Lockheed Martin is competing with a Boeing-Raytheon team-up to design a replacement for small missiles like the TOW and the Hellfire.

The cost of the program is a concern in these days of financial austerity (which, in this case, means spending perhaps as little as $4 trillion over ten years, compared to the $5 trillion currently projected for defense over that time). Pressure to close the federal deficit is forcing the Pentagon to scale back its modernization wish lists. The missile upgrades might be a casualty: budget projections submitted by the Army and the Navy quietly but conspicuously left the JAGM off the planning sheets.

The forthcoming JAGM is beloved by the Army, the Navy and the Marines, who, all told, want to buy 35,000 of them ASAP. It’s a missile upgrade that’s been scheduled for over four years, although you could date its origins to the dormant 2005 Joint Common Missile program. Within the Pentagon, “many… believe [the missile] is critically important to the future force and a model of joint-service acquisition,” Inside Defense’s Jason Sherman reports.

Meanwhile, if there’s a problem with the Hellfire, no one’s letting on. Sure, it’s been in the Pentagon’s arsenal since the days of leg warmers, jheri curls and Red Dawn. But the iconic missile has been the last thing that militants in Pakistan and Yemen have seen during a dramatic escalation of the U.S.’ shadow wars in both countries under the Obama administration. There have been no indications in public of the missile’s poor performance.

But the JAGM is supposed to perform better. A trio of sensors are supposed to allow it to operate effectively in bad weather or against jamming signals designed to throw it off course. Some in the Pentagon evidently don’t think that can justify the expense of the upgrade.

Besides, the JAGM is about the same size as a Hellfire. Lockheed’s design weighs a shade over 100 lbs. That won’t help the Pentagon arm smaller drones — and with the rise of the kamikaze Switchblade drone-missile hybrid, maybe the JAGM looks like yesterday’s missile even before it ever gets fired in anger.

[ADMk2]

Dear Spencer,

JAGM can be carried on fast jets. Hellfire can't. Please learn something about your topic before opining utter nonsense.

In reality, the US COULD just buy Brimstone 1/II to cover the JAGM's role. That would be FAR cheaper than developing their own uber-weapon. Especially as it's mostly manufactured in the US already anyway...

[buglerbilly]

Written by defenceWeb Friday, 21 October 2011 13:38



Collaboration programmes between South Africa and Brazil could be the basis for future contracts of a similar nature pending the completion of the A-Darter air-to-air missile contract, said Brazilian Minister of Science and Technology, Aloízio Mercadante during a visit to Denel Dynamics this week.

Denel Dynamics CE Jan Wessels says there is potential to collaborate further in the domain of guided missiles, aerospace, defence and high-technology in general. “A competitive, indigenous, guided missiles design and development capability serves a number of strategic objectives for South Africa and other advanced developing nations,” said Wessels. “It remains however a national decision (not only a commercial one) given the long-term nature of this investment and commitment.”

This discussion was an off-shoot to a high level IBSA (India, Brazil and South Africa) Dialogue Forum summit held in Pretoria this week. It included a Defence Industry seminar which was opened by Secretary for Defence Mpumi Mpofu, who Denel Dynamics in a statement said she addressed the “possibility of transcending beyond two country collaboration to exploring trilateral opportunities on defence projects.” She said that defence projects are complex by nature, becoming even more complicated when several partners are involved both within industry and between governments. “It is the intention of the three Ministries of Defence that we will establish an IBSA team to identify potential areas of co-operation and visit the defence industries of the three countries,” said Mpofu. The team would constitute members from each country, led by South Africa. It will report its findings to the trilateral forum after the first visit which is to take place in Brazil next year.

A business development team from Denel Dynamics is currently attending an annual defence conference in Brazil which is addressing national defence strategies for best practice and perspectives on transformation. “It is always challenging to be the pioneer,” says Wessels. “The South African industry applauds the guts and commitment leading to the brave first steps taken by the Brazilian and South African Ministries of Defence back in 2005/6.

“We are seeing the same bold approach in 2011 through IBSA.” From a South African industry perspective, he remarked upon the absolute synergy between the Brazilian and South African teams in terms of vision, work ethic and technical capability on the A-Darter project. “We look forward to expanding on this through more joint programmes,” said Wessels.

[buglerbilly]

Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System Aces Helicopter Testing

(Source: BAE Systems; issued November 9, 2011)

NASHUA, New Hampshire --- The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps recently successfully fired the first shots of the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II (APKWS) from a UH-1Y helicopter, in preparation for fielding in 2012.

The successful shots, which took place at Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division in China Lake, California, Sept. 9-13, mark the start of APKWS testing on the UH-1Y, and are part of the program’s low-rate initial production phase.

Developed by BAE Systems in partnership with the U.S. government, the APKWS semi-active laser guidance section integrates with existing 2.75-inch rocket motors and warheads, giving aviators a highly precise weapon that is effective against soft and lightly armored targets while minimizing collateral damage. BAE Systems designed the system’s laser guidance and control section.

During the tests, Marine pilots fired a total of six shots from a UH-1Y against stationary targets with ranges varying from 1.5 to 5 kilometers. The initial shots from UH-1Y mark the first time a MK152 warhead has been fired from any aircraft, allowing safer operation aboard ships than the previous M151 warhead.

"I am very excited to bring this new capability to our Marines in combat,” said Captain Brian Corey, Program Manager, PMA-242. “This highly effective weapon will allow aviators to complete their missions while minimizing the risk of harm to allies and non-combatants."

APKWS brings three essential operational benefits to those in combat. First, the BAE Systems guidance section is designed for compatibility with current 2.75-inch rocket motors, warheads, and fuzes, enhancing the capability of the existing 100,000-unit inventory of unguided rockets. Second, the system provides the lowest collateral damage for precision engagement, while at the same time giving the military greater flexibility to engage the enemy. Finally, the unit cost is on track to meet the Navy’s objective against lower value targets.

“BAE Systems is focused on getting APKWS to the warfighter next year,” said John Watkins, director of Missile & Munitions Solutions in Nashua, where the system’s laser guidance and control section is built. "APKWS will provide an evolutionary step in the lethality and utility of the UH-1Y. For the first time, the UH-1Y will have the ability to autonomously provide precision guided munitions, dramatically increasing its effectiveness against armored and reinforced targets while decreasing collateral damage."

The Navy assumed acquisition oversight of the APKWS program in 2008. In addition to its planned use on rotary-wing platforms, the Navy has entered into a Joint Concept Technology Demonstration program with the U.S. Air Force to evaluate the suitability of APKWS for fixed-wing platforms.

APKWS entered the first phase of production testing at China Lake’s facility last month. A launcher successfully fired two laser-guided rockets and hit a stationary target. The test firings initiated a sequence of tests that allow the Navy to accept the guidance sections for Initial Operational Test and Evaluation, the final test phase prior to fielding the system.

Initial Operating Capability of APKWS on the Marine Corps AH-1W and UH-1Y helicopters is scheduled for the spring of year 2012.

-ends-

[buglerbilly]

U.S. may sell precision-guided bombs to UAE: source

WASHINGTON | Fri Nov 11, 2011 1:36am EST

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. government may soon announce plans for a large sale of precision-guided bombs to the United Arab Emirates, a source familiar with the arms sales plans said late on Thursday, as tensions mounted with Iran over its nuclear program.

The Pentagon is considering a significant sale of Joint Direct Attack Munitions made by Boeing Co, adding to other recent arms deals with the UAE. These include the sale of 500 Hellfire air-to-surface missiles about which U.S. lawmakers were notified in September.

The sale of Boeing-built "bunker-buster" bombs and other munitions to UAE, a key Gulf ally, is part of an ongoing U.S. effort to build a regional coalition to counter Iran.

No comment was immediately available from the Pentagon's press office or the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, which oversees foreign arms sales.

Boeing has sold thousands of JDAM bombs to the United States and its allies in recent months as they have replenished their arsenal of the popular precision-guided bombs.

Boeing spokesman Garrett Kasper said the company was unable to discuss the proposed contract since it would involve a foreign military sale, something that would be discussed at a government-to-government level.

The proposed sale, first reported by the Wall Street Journal, would expand the existing capabilities of UAE's air force to target buildings such as the bunkers and tunnels where Iran is believed to be developing nuclear or other weapons. The newspaper said Washington was eyeing the sale of 4,900 of the so-called smart bombs.

Tension over Iran's nuclear program has increased since Tuesday when the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that Tehran appeared to have worked on designing a bomb and may still be conducting secret research to that end.

Speculation has heightened in the Israeli media that Israel may strike Iran's nuclear sites and there is speculation in the Western press about a possible U.S. attack.

But U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta on Thursday warned that military action against Iran could have "unintended consequences" in the region. Tehran had warned earlier that an attack against its nuclear sites would be met by "iron fists."

Iran says its nuclear program is peaceful and that it is enriching uranium to run reactors for electricity generation.

The Obama administration is trying to build up the six members of the Gulf Cooperation Council, which includes Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, UAE, and Kuwait, as a unified counterweight to Iran.

Recent arms deals approved by the administration include a record $60 billion plan to sell Saudi Arabia advanced F-15 aircraft, some 2,000-pound (907-kg) JDAMs and other powerful munitions.

The U.S. government also approved the sale of a $7 billion terminal missile defense program to UAE that would be built by Lockheed Martin Corp.

Washington has also sought to build up missile-defense systems across the region, with the goal of building an integrated network to defend against short- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles from Iran.

The UAE has a fleet of advanced U.S.-made F-16 fighters, also built by Lockheed, that could carry the JDAMs.

Once the Pentagon formally notifies lawmakers about a proposed sale, they have 30 days to raise objections, although such action is rare since sales are carefully vetted with Congress before they are formally announced.

This sale will likely include other weapons systems, including military aircraft and other weapons, according to the source familiar with the plans.

(Reporting by Andrea Shalal-Esa; Editing by Eric Walsh)

[buglerbilly]

Raytheon Develops Wireless Integration for Combat-Proven Enhanced Paveway

(Source: Raytheon Company; issued November 13, 2011)

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates --- Raytheon Company completed testing and development of a new wireless method of integrating its combat-proven Enhanced Paveway precision-guided bomb on aircraft.

The new integration tool, called WiPak, uses wireless technology similar to what is being used in many consumer wireless devices such as tablet computers. WiPak consists of a small wireless transmitter and pilot interface in the aircraft cockpit, and a small receiver affixed to the Paveway weapon.

"WiPak enables integration of Paveway on a variety of aircraft previously unable to carry the weapon, and WiPak does so without modifying aircraft wiring or changing flight and stores management software," said Harry Schulte, Raytheon Missile Systems' vice president of Air Warfare Systems. "With WiPak, aviators can easily and quickly employ Paveway for a small fraction of what it would cost to integrate Paveway through traditional means."

Raytheon has integrated WiPak on the Embraer Super Tucano counterinsurgency aircraft and is in the process of testing and deploying the system on similar aircraft.

The combat-proven Paveway is a kit that transforms "dumb" bombs into precision-guided weapons. Paveway II and Paveway III are laser-guidance kits, while the Enhanced Paveway II, Enhanced Paveway III and Paveway IV use both laser and GPS guidance.

Paveway Highlights

-- More than 300,000 Paveways are in the inventory of 43 nations.
-- The Paveway family of weapons is integrated on 25 aircraft.
-- Thousands of Paveways have been used in combat.

Raytheon Company, with 2010 sales of $25 billion, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass. , Raytheon employs 72,000 people worldwide.

-ends-

[buglerbilly]

TALON Laser-Guided Rocket Goes 3-for-3 in Flight Demonstration

(Source: Raytheon Co.; issued Nov. 15, 2011)

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates --- Raytheon Company and Emirates Advanced Investments (EAI) Group completed an operational demonstration of the TALON Laser-Guided Rocket from AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopters in the United Arab Emirates. The demonstration in Abu Dhabi met all objectives and marked the final step leading to production of TALON LGRs in the U.S. and the United Arab Emirates.

During the demonstration, pilots fired TALON Laser-Guided Rockets at stationary and moving targets. All shots during the demonstration were successful, further verifying the operational performance of the TALON Laser-Guided Rocket.

"This successful demonstration shows that our cooperative design efforts have resulted in a precision system that is now ready to produce for customers worldwide," said Hussain Al Hammadi, Chairman of EAI Group.

TALON has been tested to the very edge of its performance requirements, including short range (1.2 kilometers) and long range (6 kilometers). It has also been launched from both moving and stationary platforms, and employed against both moving and stationary targets.

"Our goal has always been to develop the best possible laser-guided rocket solution with our trusted partners in the United Arab Emirates," said Dr. Taylor Lawrence, president of Raytheon Missile Systems. "We are ready for fielding, and this demonstration and the recent completion of our qualification program prove it. This program establishes a cornerstone for our future business development cooperation."

The TALON LGR is an affordable, semi-active laser guidance and control kit that connects directly to the front of 2.75-inch unguided rockets currently in U.S. and international inventories. The TALON LGR is fully compatible with existing airborne and ground laser designators and requires no modifications to the launch platform. It fills the critical operational capability gap between unguided rockets and expensive heavy guided missiles.

Emirates Advanced Investments Group continues to be the region's leader in providing modernized defense capabilities to the United Arab Emirates.

Raytheon Company, with 2010 sales of $25 billion, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 72,000 people worldwide.

-ends-

[buglerbilly]

Boeing 30,000-Pound Bunker Buster Bomb Now Ready for Combat

Tony Capaccio, ©2011 Bloomberg News

Monday, November 14, 2011



Good morning Tehran, guess what we've just had delivered..........:thumbsup

Nov. 14 (Bloomberg) -- The Air Force has taken delivery from Boeing Co. of a new 30,000-pound bomb capable of penetrating deeply buried targets.

The Air Force Global Strike Command started receiving the Massive Ordnance Penetrator, designed for the B-2 stealth bomber, in September with additional bombs expected last month, Air Force spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Jack Miller said in a short statement to Bloomberg News.

The deliveries "will meet requirements for the current operational need," he said.

Command head Lieutenant General James Kowalski told the annual Air Force Association conference in September the command "completed integration" of the bunker-buster bomb with the B- 2, "giving the war-fighter increased capability against hardened and deeply buried targets."

The bomb would be the U.S. military's largest conventional penetrator. It's six times bigger than the 5,000-pound bunker buster that the Air Force now uses to attack deeply buried nuclear, biological or chemical sites.

Chicago-based Boeing is manufacturing the bomb, which was successfully demonstrated in March 2007.

The Air Force in 2009 said Boeing might build as many as 16 of the munitions. Spokesman Miller today had no details on how many the Air Force plans to buy. Boeing in August received a $32 million contract that included eight munitions.

The B-2, developed by Falls Church, Virginia-based Northrop Grumman Corp., has a shape and skin capable of evading radar. It's the only U.S. bomber designed to penetrate air defenses such as those believed in use by North Korea and Iran. It's also the only aircraft currently capable of carrying the new bomb.

Libya Mission

The B-2 has bombed targets in the Afghanistan and Iraq wars. Three in March flew round-trip, non-stop missions from Missouri to Libya in the opening hours of U.S. air strikes, dropping 45 bombs.

Little authoritative information has been published about the capability of the Massive Ordnance Penetrator. A December 2007 story by the Air Force News Service said it has a hardened- steel casing and can reach targets as far down as 200 feet underground before exploding.

The new, 20.5-foot-long bomb carries more than 5,300 pounds of explosives and is guided by Global Positioning System satellites, according to a description on the Web site of the Pentagon's Defense Threat Reduction Agency.

The Pentagon in July 2009 formally asked Congress to shift funds in order to accelerate by three years fielding the weapon.

'Operational Need'

Pentagon Comptroller Robert Hale, in his July 8, 2009, request, said there was "an urgent operational need for the capability to strike hard and deeply buried targets in high- threat environments," and top commanders of U.S. forces in Asia and the Middle East "recently identified the need to expedite" the bomb program.

The United Nations' International Atomic Energy Agency last week reported Iran was trying to develop an atomic bomb to fit on a missile capable of hitting Israel.

Iran's suspected nuclear weapons facilities are dispersed over a broad area 1,000 miles (1,609 kilometers) and multiple countries to the east of Tel Aviv. Some are underground. Iran has repeatedly asserted that its nuclear program is for peaceful civilian goals, such as power generation.

Iran is following the lead of China and Russia in protecting its Natanz and Qom nuclear facilities by moving them underground, the Defense Intelligence Agency director, Lieutenant General Ronald Burgess, told a Senate panel in February.

Hardened Facilities

"Buried, hardened facilities and improved air defenses are key elements of Iran's extensive program to protect its nuclear infrastructure from destruction," Burgess said.

"The spread of western tunneling technology and equipment is contributing to a rise in construction by countries and organizations that have not previously used modern techniques," he said.

Authorities in Tehran announced recently that they're moving some uranium enrichment from a more vulnerable site at Natanz to a location at Qom that is 90 meters (295 feet) under rock, said David Albright, who is founder and president of the Institute for Science and International Security in Washington.

--With assistance from Viola Gienger in Washington. Editor: Steven Komarow, Robin Meszoly

To contact the reporter on this story: Tony Capaccio in Washington at acapaccio@bloomberg.net

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2011/11/14/bloomberg_articlesLUO5DT0D9L35.DTL#ixzz1domj959S

[buglerbilly]

More on TALON..............

UAE Company, Raytheon Team on Rocket Order

By PIERRE TRAN

Published: 15 Nov 2011 15:55

DUBAI - Raytheon and its local partner, Emirates Advanced Investments (EAI) group, hope to win an initial order from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Armed Forces for about 10,000 units of the Talon laser-guided rocket kit, an executive of the U.S. company said.

The Talon team is looking for a launch order of some 10,000 units, with options for more, Michelle Lohmeier, vice president for land combat, told a high-level Jordanian official visiting the Raytheon stand at the Dubai Airshow.

"An order is imminent," Lohmeier said. "It's very close."

The Talon team also is in talks for sales to foreign customers, Lohmeier added.

Raytheon and its UAE industrial partner have completed the qualification program for the Talon, following test fires of the weapon from an Apache Longbow helicopter last week.

"The demonstration in Abu Dhabi met all the objectives and marked the final step leading to production of Talon LGRs (laser-guided rockets) in the U.S. and the United Arab Emirates," a joint statement said.

Raytheon and its UAE partner co-developed the Talon system, and are in talks on how the work will be organized once a production contract has been signed, said Salem Saeed Salem Al Abri, development director of Emirates Advanced Research & Technology (EARTH), an EAI subsidiary.

EAI funded the development of the Talon system.

Depending on the outcome of the talks, the UAE company could manufacture the weapon system locally or assemble parts made in the U.S.

EARTH seeks "to bring technology and capability into the UAE," Al Abri said.

Engineers from the UAE company were involved in the development work in the Tucson, Ariz., offices when the program began in 2008. That co-development is effectively a new business model for Raytheon.

Raytheon and EAI will also work to market Talon globally, with one or the other company taking the lead depending on which has a better relationship with a country.

The Talon is a weapon in a crowded market, competing against Lockheed Martin's Direct Attack Guided Rocket (DAGR) and the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II from BAE Systems and Northrop Grumman.

Talon was designed with "affordability as a key parameter," making it a low-cost offering, Lohmeier said.

The laser-guided kits are intended to convert "dumb" 2.75 inch/70mm helicopter-borne rockets into guided weapons, or making them mini-Hellfire missiles at lower cost.

Lockheed sees an advantage in the ability of DAGR to lock on before launch, aimed at offering greater safety than systems that lock onto the target after launch.

Talon is designed as a "plug-and-play" product, fitting any standard 70mm rocket launcher without modification, Al Abri said. The weapon can also be used to lock on before launch where that capability is available.

[buglerbilly]

Pic of TALON via Shepherds................

[buglerbilly]

Raytheon SDB II Warhead Exceeds Test Requirements

(Source: Raytheon Company; issued November 16, 2011)

TUCSON, Ariz. --- The warhead for Raytheon Company's Small Diameter Bomb II performed at twice what was required during a series of recent tests. The test marked the first demonstration of an SDB II warhead built on a fully-automated production line.

SDB II is the world's first weapon capable of engaging fixed or moving targets around-the-clock in adverse weather conditions from a range of greater than 40 nautical miles (approximately 46 statute miles).

"SDB II is affordable because we designed it to be low cost, producible, and meet government specifications. Exceeding those requirements at no extra cost is good for the taxpayer and warfighter," said Harry Schulte , vice president of Raytheon Missile Systems' Air Warfare Systems. "We are determined to keep SDB II on cost and ahead of schedule because the warfighter needs, but doesn't have, an air-launched weapon that can engage moving targets in adverse weather."

After building the test warheads on the production line, engineers put the warheads through an accelerated conditioning regime equivalent to 500 flight hours and 20 years of aging in a bunker, followed by live detonation testing.

"Using production-ready processes, the SDB II warhead is meeting or exceeding all requirements barely a year after contract award," said Tom White , Raytheon's SDB II program director. "The Raytheon team is dedicated to giving all stakeholders the best value for their money, and most importantly, giving our warfighters a critical capability they don't have today."

Small Diameter Bomb II

SDB II's integrated tri-mode seeker fuses millimeter-wave (MMW) radar, uncooled imaging infrared (IIR) and semiactive laser sensors on a single gimbal, which enables the weapon to seek and destroy targets, despite weather conditions.

-- SDB II uses an uncooled tri-mode seeker to hit moving targets in all weather conditions.
-- SDB II program is on cost and ahead of schedule.

Raytheon Company, with 2010 sales of $25 billion , is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 72,000 people worldwide.

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[buglerbilly]

N.Korea Test-Fires Air-to-Ship Missiles in West Sea

STYX? Big as a bus and slow as one............

Reports suggest that North Korea recently test-fired air-to-ship missiles over the West Sea on two separate occasions -- once in October and once earlier this month.

A South Korean government source said Wednesday the North Korean military dropped missiles from a Russian-made Ilyushin-28 bomber. The source added that the missiles appear to be modified versions of the Styx surface-to-ship missiles redesigned to be dropped from a plane. The Styx missiles have a range of 40 km and are placed on the coast north of the inter-Korean maritime border.

The test-fired missiles could pose a major threat to South Korea's patrol ships and flotillas operating there, experts say.

The secretive regime's intention behind the test remains unclear, but some believe that it was Pyongyang's way of expressing its discontent over strained inter-Korean relations.

The South Korean military, in response, is beefing up its combat strength to counter against a potential air-to-ship provocation by the North. Military officials say that they are reviewing ways to fortify air defenses from the ground and at sea.

Arirang News / Nov. 17, 2011 13:09 KST

[buglerbilly]

Ares

A Defense Technology Blog

Germany Tests Production Taurus Missile

Posted by Robert Wall at 11/17/2011 10:48 AM CST

The German air force has successfully concluded the first flight test of a series-production Taurus cruise missile.

The flight test was completed at the South African Overberg Test Range, the service says.

The missile flew around 300 km before impacting its target. Here a few pictures from the test:







(Credit: Luftwaffe)

[buglerbilly]

First Look: Electronic Warfare Missile

Nov 18, 2011

By David Fulghum
St. Louis



The U.S. has built, flown, pointed and triggered a missile designed specifically to carry a directed-energy weapon. That payload, expected to be operational soon, will be able to disrupt, shut down, spoof or damage electrical systems, but little has been revealed about the project.

However, various clues have provided substantive details about the design and concept of operations (conops) for the new missile and its exotic payload. They come from Boeing officials, industry specialists and U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory sponsors who are working on the Counter-electronics High-power Microwave Advanced Missile Project (Champ).

An illustration created by Boeing shows the missile being dropped by a B-52, which means at least some versions of the design are air-launched. However, the directed-energy, high-power microwave (HPM) payload also is designed for integration into land, sea or other air-based platforms for operational flexibility.

As to the warhead’s anti-electronics capabilities, “the whole radio frequency spectrum is viable as a target,” says Keith Coleman, Boeing’s program manager for Champ since 2009. The systems will be tailored to the target defined by the customer. The effects will depend on the frequency and effective radiated power (ERP). There are many options.

Two short video clips produced by the Air Force—without sound or annotation—indicate the conops and effects. An animation shows a cruise missile flying at low altitude firing beams of HPM from side- and downward-pointed apertures at high-rise office buildings in a city. The lights go off as the buildings are attacked. An actual video shows a room with about a half-dozen desktop computers functioning with data on the screens. Suddenly all the computers go black, with one momentarily turning back on and then off again.

That still leaves two unanswered questions—is Champ stealthy and reusable?

The notional airframe shown in Boeing’s drawings is relatively small with compressed carriage wings that extend after launch. While Boeing’s artist concepts are not exact representations of the missile, they do resemble the company’s cruise missile designs that are similarly air-launched and have low-radar-signature designs to penetrate enemy air defenses.

“Any of these systems can be made to be recoverable or otherwise,” Coleman says. “There are many proven methods of recovering vehicles from the lightweights to the heavier designs.”

Champ was first flown on May 17 at the Utah Test and Training Range at Hill AFB. The missile was successfully pointed at a series of targets to confirm that it could be controlled and timed to fire a focused beam that would minimize—and perhaps eliminate—collateral damage to nearby electronic devices. The software used in the test was identical to that required to trigger the HPM weapon warhead.

Cruise missiles are valued for their intrinsic low radar cross-section that comes with small size, and they can be shaped and treated with radar-absorbing or reflecting materials. That is why they are the primary tools for breaking down enemy air defenses on the first day of any conflict. A Champ-like design would be sure to have the same operational requirements and need for stealth. Nonetheless, HPM payloads are not restricted to Champ.

“Any unmanned aircraft would be a candidate for these types of systems,” Coleman says. However, “Boeing built the Champ system to be easily transitioned to [alternative platforms]. From the start we designed it with as many features as possible so that we would need minimum adjustments.”

Program officials will not address the question of whether Champ is associated with the Air Force’s Long-Range Strike (LRS) program. Air Force and aerospace industry officials have said that directed-energy weapons support and electronic attack will be supplied to LRS by adjunct, unmanned aircraft.

“Champ is a template for future HPM programs,” Coleman says. “There has never been this type of system with this kind of power out on any vehicle of any sort before.”

Coleman contends there would be little difficulty putting the HPM weapons technology on a smaller or larger airframe.

“The HPM system itself is a very flexible integration,” he says. If smaller, you get less ERP and if bigger you get more. But if you are smaller, you can probably get closer [to the target without being detected]. I absolutely think there is a desire to go to a bigger airframe. ERP is dependent on the size of the aperture. The bigger the aperture, the more power you can produce and the more standoff you get.”

The initial version of Champ is designed for a relatively small, unmanned aircraft, Coleman says, so “that was part of the difficulty of getting everything to fit.”

Boeing’s Phantom Works built the missile airframe and the weapon pointing system, drawing on its experience with advanced weapons, cruise missiles and unmanned strike aircraft in conjunction with the Air Force Research Laboratory.

Coleman worked on the Calcm and Jassm cruise missiles, the F-15E and F/A-18E/F strike fighters and X-45A/C unmanned combat aircraft projects that prepared him for leading a very specialized team that integrated the sophisticated directed-energy weapon payload into the unmanned platform. There are about 25 core members from the various companies involved in the program providing missile and aircraft program experience.

Raytheon’s newly acquired New Mexico-based Ktech division built the HPM warhead. The combination of airframe and warhead are to be demonstrated during a series of flight tests planned to cluster around the end of the current program in July 2012.

Raytheon recently acquired Ktech because it is making plans to build a series of HPM warheads for virtually all the missile models on its various production lines. A few years ago Raytheon planners said they were “betting the farm” on HPM pushing aside lasers as the most tactically useful and least demanding directed-energy weapon for next-generation combat operations. Boeing, in a complementary mode, has been designing its unmanned combat aircraft designs to carry reusable, multi-shot HPM weapons.

Photo Credit: Boeing Concept

[buglerbilly]

Raytheon Miniature Air Launched Decoy Jammer to Begin Production

(Source: Raytheon Company; issued November 29, 2011)

TUCSON, Ariz. --- The U.S. Air Force reached a Milestone C decision on Raytheon Company's Miniature Air Launched Decoy Jammer variant, authorizing Raytheon to begin Low Rate Initial Production of the system. The Air Force also exercised a contract option and awarded Raytheon $5 million to convert Lot 4 MALD production of the baseline to the MALD-J variant.

"MALD-J will save the lives of aviators because commanders will be able to use MALD-J to conduct dangerous stand-in jamming missions instead of using manned aircraft to do the job," said Harry Schulte, vice president of Raytheon Missile Systems' Air Warfare Systems product line.

"The 125 Raytheon employees who make MALD and the hundreds of suppliers across the nation who support MALD can be proud of their contribution to the warfighter."

About the Miniature Air Launched Decoy

MALD is a state-of-the-art, low-cost flight vehicle that is modular, air-launched and programmable. It weighs less than 300 pounds and has a range of approximately 500 nautical miles (about 575 statute miles). MALD protects aircrews and their aircraft by duplicating the combat flight profiles and signatures of U.S. and allied aircraft. The MALD-J adds radar-jamming capability to the basic MALD platform.

MALD confuses enemy air defenses by duplicating friendly aircraft flight profiles, radar signatures. MALD-J keeps all capabilities of MALD and adds jamming capabilities. Raytheon will begin delivering MALD-J in 2012.

Raytheon Company, with 2010 sales of $25 billion, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 72,000 people worldwide.

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[buglerbilly]

Raytheon SDB II Program Ahead of Schedule After Latest Round of Testing

(Source: Raytheon Company; issued November 29, 2011)

TUCSON, Ariz. --- Raytheon Company's Small Diameter Bomb II program remains ahead of schedule after completing a series of tests that demonstrated successful integration of production tri-mode seeker hardware and software.

During the tests, a seeker built on an active production line was mounted on a tower and tracked a variety of moving targets in imaging infrared and millimeter wave modes. The tests proved that the seeker's software could seamlessly pass data between modes, allowing the weapon's algorithms to arrive at a targeting solution.

"The warfighter has a critical, unmet need for a weapon that can hit a moving target regardless of weather conditions, and Raytheon is doing its part to give it to them," said Harry Schulte, vice president of Air Warfare Systems for Raytheon Missile Systems. "This test is the most recent in a series of successes that keep the SDB II program on cost and ahead of schedule."

SDB II fills a critical capability gap for warfighters by enabling fighter and bomber aircraft to engage moving targets in adverse weather from ranges greater than 40 nautical miles (approximately 46 statute miles).

About the Small Diameter Bomb II

SDB II's integrated tri-mode seeker fuses millimeter-wave radar, uncooled imaging infrared and semiactive laser sensors on a single gimbal, which enables the weapon to seek and destroy targets, despite weather conditions.

SDB II uses an uncooled tri-mode seeker to hit moving targets in adverse weather conditions.

The SDB II program is performing on cost and ahead of schedule.

Early October tests proved the hardware and software could pass data between seeker modes.

Raytheon Company, with 2010 sales of $25 billion, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 72,000 people worldwide.

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[buglerbilly]

New 12-pound Guided Bomb Flies for First Time

(Source: Raytheon Company; issued November 30, 2011)

Lotsa announcements from Raytheon in the last day or three............must be budget review time!!! :rofl

TUCSON, Ariz. --- Raytheon Company has completed captive carry tests of its Small Tactical Munition Phase II configuration, paving the way for flight tests.

"Raytheon developed STM Phase II to provide the warfighter a weapon for Shadow-class UAS (unmanned aircraft systems) and counterinsurgency aircraft," said Bob Francois , vice president of Advanced Missiles and Unmanned Systems for Raytheon Missile Systems. "STM is a mature, precise and affordable weapon and gives the warfighter flexibility to engage moving and static targets with minimal collateral damage."

The Sept. 16 test was conducted on a Raytheon Cobra unmanned aircraft system at Yuma Proving Grounds, Ariz.

STM Phase II is a new 12-pound, 22-inch long, precision-guided, gravity-dropped bomb specifically designed for employment from manned and unmanned aircraft systems. STM Phase II is more than two inches shorter than the Phase I design and has foldable fins and wings, enabling employment from the U.S. military's common launch tube. STM Phase II's easier assembly will make the system simpler to manufacture on a large scale.

Key Points

-- At 12 pounds and 22 inches, STM is the smallest air-launched weapon in the Raytheon portfolio.
-- Has both GPS and semiactive laser guidance.
-- Small enough to be employed from the U.S. military's common launch tube.

Raytheon Company, with 2010 sales of $25 billion, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 72,000 people worldwide.

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[buglerbilly]

Mini-Missile Promises to Shrink the Drone War

By Spencer Ackerman Email Author December 1, 2011 | 1:49 pm



Get ready to shrink the drone war. The Army and Marine Corps’ medium-sized spy drones may soon become killers, thanks to a successful flight test by a mini-drone strapped with a 12-pound bomb.

Raytheon, the defense giant, has been working since 2009 on what it calls a Small Tactical Munition — as the name suggests, it’s a bomb tiny enough to attach onto the military’s fleet of small to medium drones like the Shadow. Weighing 12 pounds and standing 22 inches, the guided munition has the potential to expand the drone war dramatically, giving battalion-sized units that fly small drones the ability to kill people, like the remote pilots who fly the iconic Predators and Reapers do.

Now Raytheon announces that on Sept. 16, a Cobra drone (the company’s in-house equivalent of a Shadow) flew over the Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona carrying the latest, lightest, smallest model of the Small Tactical Munition for the first time. The flight lasted an hour. It didn’t actually fire the munition at a target. (You’ll notice there are no fins on the missile, pictured above, although the design includes fold-up fins.)

Even though the munition is still a ways away from actually being used by the Marines — whose request to weaponize the Shadow has prompted these tests — it’s the latest milestone for the ongoing trend of miniaturizing killer drones. And there are many paths in development for micro-killers. A California company called Arcturus has built its own small, 17-foot drone that it claims can fire a 10-pound missile called the Saber. More recently, the industry leader in miniature drones, AeroVironment, rolled out an alternative model for small armed drones. Its diminutive hybrid of drone and missile, called the Switchblade, is designed to be carried in a soldier’s backpack until it’s launched into the sky on a kamikaze mission. Yet another design is to launch a deadly mini-drone from inside a larger drone, Russian-doll style.

The Small Tactical Munition keeps it simple. It’s designed to be carried by AAI’s Shadow — which means that it’s not using a boutique or unfamiliar model for shrinking the drone war. It would instead put a tiny missile on proven drones that the Army already possesses. While a Predator is about 27 feet long, with a 55-foot wingspan, a Shadow is smaller than 12 feet long, with a 20-foot wingspan.

But it’s about more than just shrinking the drone war. A battalion that uses a Shadow for aerial surveillance might not have to rely on higher headquarters — or its Air Force partners — for close air support if it can strap a bomb the size of a dumbbell to the wings of its drone. That could mean a big change in small-unit autonomy and tactics.

But the Army and the Marine Corps have been working to weaponize the Shadow since 2008, and nothing’s gotten out of the testing stage so far. The Air Force has its own fleet of ever-tinier drones, some even shaped like insects. If Raytheon can sell the military on its mini-bomb — especially considering that the cash-strapped military is going to be hard up for major new weapons purchases — it may only be a matter of time before the makers of killer drones start thinking even smaller.



Photo: Raytheon

[buglerbilly]

JAGM Cooling System completes testing

06 December 2011 - 17:35 by the Shephard News Team



Testing of the Lockheed Martin and Marotta Controls Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) launcher pneumatic cooling system (PCS) has been completed, clearing the way for the next phase of the programme to begin. Lockheed Martin made the announcement in a 6 December 2011 company statement.

The PCS is a central component in US Navy rotary- and fixed-wing JAGM launchers. A miniature compressor and air filtration system, the PCS cools JAGM's imaging infrared (I2R) sensor, enabling the aircrew to passively acquire and track targets at safe standoff range while the missile is still on the launcher, allowing it to confirm target acquisition. It has a predictive reliability of over 10,000 hours mean time between failure, which far exceeds the 2,500 hour durability requirement.

The PCS design is based on Marotta's M-PACT (Pure Air Compression Technology) system used to cool US Navy AIM-9M Sidewinder missiles. M-PACT is in full rate production at Marotta's facility in New Jersey, and the company has delivered more than 1,000 systems.

According to Lockheed Martin, the cooled seeker can passively lock onto targets at significantly greater range than an uncooled seeker and offers superior target discrimination capability, especially in the high-humidity maritime environments frequented by US Navy and Marine Corps aircraft. The ability to passively launch JAGMs outside the enemy's reach allows the aircraft to move on to prosecute other targets or return to base safely. The cooled seeker also offers cost savings over the life of the missile because its mid-wave infrared permits use of a durable hard dome that can withstand abrasion in harsh environments.

[buglerbilly]

12-06-2011 17:43

Korea to purchase 170 stealth cruise missiles next year


Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile

Designed to destroy high value targets

By Lee Tae-hoon

Korea will purchase some 170 air-to-surface stealth cruise missiles next year capable of destroying high value targets such as military leaders or launching pads for nuclear weapons, multiple sources said Tuesday.

A National Assembly official said the government has set aside 388 billion won ($343 million) to procure 177 low-observable, long-range, precision guided stand-off missiles that can be launched from F-15Ks, F-16Ks and other advanced jets after system integration.

He said the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) from the American defense giant Lockheed Martin will vie with the Taurus, air-launched missile manufactured by Germany-based Taurus Systems GmbH.

“JASSM is much cheaper and easier to integrate with the existing fleet of its American aircraft, but South Korea may have no other alternative but to choose the Taurus if the U.S. Congress continues to delay the authorization for the export of JASSM,” the official said.

A government source said the unit cost of JASSM was about 1.2 billion won, whereas that of the Taurus was 3.6 billion won when Seoul requested quotations in 2009.

“Seoul wants to introduce them as they will function as an effective deterrent against North Korea’s provocations,” he said. “It can be fired from Seoul and hit any targets in Pyongyang, including North Korean leader Kim Jong-il attending a massive military parade or other ceremonies, by using its GPS-aided inertial navigation system.”

The plan to purchase state-of-art guided missiles gained much of its momentum after Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin announced in March that he would alter the nation’s military posture from passive defense to proactive deterrence to address the North’s growing military threats.

“If the Pentagon issues the LOA (Letter of Offer and Acceptance) early next year, we plan to assess the two air-to-surface guided missiles over their performance, price and the extent of technology transfer and select the winner no later than September 2012,” a senior military official said.

He said if the acquisition program runs without a hitch, the South will likely be able to deploy the first batch of missiles in late 2013.

The official, however, did not rule out the possibility of the plan being shelved if the U.S. Congress does not give a green light to the export of JASSM by June next year and if Taurus Systems GmbH continues to demand too high a price.

“The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) may reconsider the project and push the development of indigenous air-to-surface cruise missiles if it cannot buy them at a reasonable price and secure a guarantee of substantial technology transfer,” he said.

Australia is the only foreign country to have the JASSM in its inventory. Several countries, such as Finland and India, are negotiating with Washington over the sales of the fire-and-forget missile capable of destroying well-defended, fixed and re-locatable targets with pinpoint accuracy.

JASSM has an operation range of 370 kilometers and a warhead of 450 kilograms.

German and Spain operate Taurus, which can fly more than 500 kilometers with a warhead of 500 kilograms.

Morri Leland, a director of Lockheed Martin, said JASSM would be a great choice for the South as it has threats that demand certain scenarios that include hard-to-penetrate, pin-point, and heavily defended targets.

“It was specifically designed for very high threat scenarios like those Korea faces,” he said.

JASSM can navigate autonomously in adverse weather, day or night to its programmed target through a preprogrammed route with the help of its anti-jam GPS and infrared seeker before destroying its target.

[buglerbilly]

IN FOCUS: USAF committed to replace AMRAAM and HARM with new missile

By: Stephen Trimble Washington DC

12:00 6 Dec 2011

Source:

Twenty years after entering service, the Raytheon AIM-120 AMRAAM is still one of the most feared weapons in air warfare, yet it may also be among the most endangered.

China and Russia are developing new air-to-air missiles with possibly longer ranges, adding to the overall threat posed since 2010 by the appearance of the Sukhoi T-50 and Chengdu J-20 prototype stealth fighters.

Moreover, a new generation of surface-to-air missile systems are extending their reach, making a strike by fighters armed with anti-radiation missiles - the 27-year-old Raytheon AGM-88 HARM - an ever more perilous mission for the air crews.


©Raytheon
Twenty years ago the Raytheon AIM-120 AMRAAM entered service. It's still one of the most feared weapons in air warfare, and perhaps the most endangered

The US Air Force has already decided that the AIM-120 and the AGM-88 must be replaced with a new weapon - now called the next-generation missile (NGM). "Doing nothing is not a viable option," according to Air Combat Command, which submitted written responses to questions by Flight International. "The operational risks would be unacceptable."

But the cost of the new acquisition programme will not come cheap. The AIM-120 alone has cost US taxpayers more than $20.4 billion. In 2008, the Charles Rivers Associates consultancy estimated that the cost to develop and produce a next-generation air-to-air missile would be at least $15 billion.

Air-to-air combat also may seem to be an unlikely area to attract investment funding. In the first nine months of this year, the USAF released 3,836 weapons on targets in Afghanistan. None of them were AIM-120s or AGM-88s. Raytheon has delivered more than 16,000 AIM-120s to the USAF and US Navy since 1991, but fewer than a dozen have been fired in anger in more than two decades.

BUDGET CUTS

The Department of Defense, meanwhile, is facing budget cuts of nearly $1 trillion over the next decade. It may not be enough to justify investing in new capabilities on their merits alone. To launch a new programme, it may be necessary to take money away from other accounts.

Also not helping the USAF's case for the NGM is the absence of any public support from the USN. In the late-1970s the two services partnered to develop the "launch and leave" missile that became the AIM-120, but have chosen to take separate paths on a replacement.

While the USAF pursues a single new weapon to replace the AIM-120 and AGM-88, the USN has devoted its resources to developing the Alliant Techsystems (ATK) AGM-88E AARGM for the air-to-ground mission and buying more AIM-120s for the air-to-air mission.

The USAF also is constrained from making its best case for the NGM in public. Most capabilities of air-to-air missiles, including their precise speed and range, are considered secret. USAF officials declined requests for interviews for this article, but the ACC, which is developing the requirements for the NGM, agreed to answer questions in writing.

MEET THE ADVANCES

The ACC did not deny the near-absence of air combat over the past two decades, but the officials argued this is irrelevant.

"Lack of recent [air-to-air] engagements does not equate to a lack of an advanced [air-to-air] threat," the ACC said. "Continued advances in threat aircraft, sensors, jamming, and Air Defense technologies require advances in US weapons. For the foreseeable future, the US must continue to meet those advances in order to assure air superiority."

Two of the "advances" the USAF may meet some day are the Chinese PL-21 and the Russian RVV-BD air-to-air missiles, said Douglas Barrie, senior fellow for military aerospace at the International Institute for Strategic Studies.

Both countries do not trail far behind the radar-guided capability of the AIM-120 missile. Russia has fielded the RVV-AE, or R-77 missile, and China has kept pace with the PL-12. With the emergence of the possibly ramjet powered PL-21 and rocket-powered RVV-BD missiles, China and Russia appear poised to meet or even surpass the range and performance of the AIM-120D.

"The US was way, way ahead in fighter design," said Rebecca Grant, director of the Mitchell Institute for Airpower Studies, the independent research organisation founded by the US's Air Force Association.

"But the gap in missile design was never as big, There are good, non-US missile makers out there."

To be fair, the USAF has not been idle either. Even as it developed the AIM-120D, the USAF has been funding technology development projects for a next-generation missile.

It is clear the USAF wants a weapon with an even longer range than the AIM-120. At the same time, the NGM must fit inside the internal weapons bay of the F-22 and Lockheed F-35. Since both weapons bays were sized to support the AIM-120, the NGM has a difficult design challenge: more range without more payload volume.

This requirement may be the key driver for a series of demonstration contracts awarded by the Air Force Research Laboratory since 2008. Their goal is to combine or scale down other components inside an air-to-air missile, which possibly allows the NGM designers to add space for more fuel to achieve the extra range.

The seeker integrated target endgame (SITES) contract combines the missile's radar and the fuze into a single device. Additionally, if the SITES radar is transformed into a conformal array, Barrie suggests, more internal fuel volume could be added.

The multi-role responsive ordnance kill mechanism (MR ROKM) is seeking to invent a directional warhead.

Instead of scattering shrapnel in all directions, this warhead would channel the damage in a single direction.

This technology also may create more room for fuel by allowing the missile designer to install a smaller - but more lethal - warhead. Finally, the AFRL also has awarded the dual-role air-dominance missile technology (DRADM-T) contract, which is developing a new propulsion system.

Propulsion is one of the critical questions that the USAF must decide upon. The NGM may be the first air-to-air missile in the USAF inventory to be partly ramjet powered - like the MBDA Meteor.

Contracts awarded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) offers the key evidence. The triple-target terminator (T3) programme is developing a ramjet-powered missile, and the technology is designed to transfer directly into the NGM programme, according to the ACC.

PEAK ENERGY STATE

Compared with a solid rocket booster, a ramjet offers some key advantages, Barrie said. The rocket motor has a higher overall speed, but its energy drops off rapidly near the end of its range. The ramjet, however, may be slightly slower, but it maintains its peak energy state for a longer period, Barrie said.

With Raytheon already established in the air-to-air missile business, the USAF invested heavily to strengthen Boeing as a challenger. Boeing received all three AFRL contracts - SITES, MR ROKM and DRADM-T. DARPA has also handed Boeing and Raytheon separate demonstration contracts to launch the T3 programme.

Meanwhile, a Lockheed Martin/Northrop Grumman team also plans to compete for the contract, having invested internal research and development funding to keep pace with Boeing and Raytheon. The ACC also confirmed that MBDA would be allowed to compete as a prime contractor.

But first the USAF has to clarify the acquisition plan for the NGM programme. Two years ago, USAF budget-justification documents submitted to Congress laid out a concise schedule for the programme, which was then named the joint dual-role air dominance missile. A required analysis of alternatives would begin next September.

The first technology-development contracts would be awarded in 2014, which would allow the first NGM missiles to enter operational service around 2020.

But something has happened to muddle the USAF's planning for NGM. Recently, when the ACC was asked to provide an up-to-date acquisition schedule for the new missile, the command tersely responded: "Undetermined at this time."

[buglerbilly]

IN FOCUS: MBDA close to completing Meteor development work

By: Craig Hoyle London

9 hours ago

Source:

In less than one year's time, MBDA UK will deliver the first of a new-generation weapon it claims will give the programme's six European partner nations a vital advantage during air-to-air combat.

The UK Ministry of Defence signed a development and production phase contract for the Meteor beyond visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) in December 2002, acting as lead customer on a project also involving France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Sweden.

Between them, the countries will field the ramjet-powered weapon with their Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon and Saab Gripen fighters as a European replacement for the US-manufactured Raytheon AIM-120 AMRAAM. The new design is scheduled to enter frontline use with the nations from 2015, while several potential export buyers are already showing significant interest.

Firm details about Meteor's recent development and test campaigns are hard to come by, as the MoD has restricted its prime contractor from talking about the project, citing customer confidentiality.


© Kristofer Sjöström/FMV Vidsel Test Range

The UK's Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) organisation provided the last update about the programme in July. "Over the past year a wide range of ground and air trials have been carried out, making significant contributions towards verifying that the missile is meeting all of its design parameters," it said.

An undisclosed number of test firings have been made since early 2009 using Saab Gripen (above) and Panavia Tornado F2 (below) trials aircraft over the Vidsel test range in Sweden and the Aberporth test area off the West Wales coast. Responding to a parliamentary question in March 2011, minister for defence equipment and support Peter Luff referred to six such firings, but declined to comment further, as doing so "would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the UK and partner nations' armed forces."


© Qinetiq

In a statement issued to Flightglobal on 29 November, DE&S said "The Meteor trials programme is continuing; nothing more can be added to the answer given to parliament in March for the reasons given then."

BAE Systems earlier this year announced the completion of a programme of Meteor carriage and release trials involving Typhoon instrumented production aircraft IPA 1. The work proved "the safe separation of the missile across the flight envelope", it said.


© BAE Systems

Given its importance to Eurofighter users - Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK - getting the Meteor onboard the type has proved frustratingly difficult to achieve. Securing an airframe to support extended test work has proved impractical because of the industry's limited fleet of development and instrumented test aircraft.

"The programme of early integration work on Typhoon, which began in July 2009, is progressing on schedule, and has been expanded to mitigate delays in getting the main integration activity on contract," the UK National Audit Office (NAO) said in its Major Projects Review 2011 publication. The Eurofighter consortium late last year revised its schedule for full integration of the weapon. "These latter delays represent a threat to the achievement of in-service date 2," the NAO continued, referring to an already revised target of July 2015. "Further mitigation actions are under review."

Sweden's Defence Materiel Administration also expects Meteor to become operational with the nation's Gripens in 2015, while France plans to take first deliveries in 2018. The first separation trials involving a Rafale will be performed in 2012 under an initial 200-missile deal announced in December 2010. Spain has also ordered its first units, and while Germany and Italy have yet to do so, industry sources say their planned acquisitions are not in doubt.

Under the UK's original plans, Meteor was to have achieved initial operational capability status in September 2011, although this was later adjusted to August 2012. But in 2008, it opted to delay this by roughly three more years, citing "changes to the perceived threat, and the desire to achieve a more cost-effective integration on the Typhoon".

While the emergence of Russia's Sukhoi PAK-FA/T-50 and China's Chengdu J-20 demonstrators have highlighted the possible future shape of airborne adversaries for Western air forces, combat experience over Libya this year saw another campaign pass without a coalition aircraft firing an air-to-air missile in anger. The deterrent posed by types such as the UK Royal Air Force's Eurofighters via AMRAAM and MBDA ASRAAM short-range weapons was enough to keep forces loyal to Col Muammar Gaddafi on the ground. The future availability of Meteor, combined with the Captor-E active electronically scanned array radar from 2015, will provide "an even better package", says Wg Cdr Dicky Patounas, officer commanding its Typhoon-equipped 3 Sqn.

This advance will be needed, says the MBDA, as the "increasing proliferation of state-of-the-art air-to-air threats is a critical challenge for modern air forces".

Meanwhile, the NAO says a fresh three-month programme slippage occurred in 2011, following "a unilateral decision by one sub-contractor to change a component design for ease of production. This has delayed the start of the full qualification programme".MBDA declines to identify the supplier in question, and says "the programme remains on schedule to deliver the first production missiles during 2012".

Bringing the new-generation weapon into service will be a key factor in encouraging additional customers to sign production orders. But a near-term boost could come in India, where Meteor is included in weapons packages linked to both types contesting the air force's medium multi-role combat aircraft requirement. New Delhi is potentially only weeks away from selecting either the Eurofighter consortium or Dassault (Rafale with Meteor pictured below) for the at least 126-unit deal.


© Dassault

"India has shown significant interest in Meteor, not only on Typhoon and Rafale, but on other platforms as well," DE&S said earlier this year. "There is also widespread international export interest in procuring the missile," it added. Saudi Arabia, which has received its first 24 Typhoons under a 72-aircraft deal, is also keen, with BAE having revealed last February that Riyadh could seek "Tranche 3 capability" for its remaining aircraft.

MBDA is continuing its campaign to have Meteor included in the future arsenal of Lockheed Martin's F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, with up to four adapted weapons to be carried internally by the stealthy type. Italy and the UK are partner nations on the F-35 programme.

"Meteor is currently attracting considerable interest from a large number of potential export customers who recognise the game changing nature of the weapon to their air forces," MBDA said earlier this year. With the US Air Force still deciding on its replacement strategy for AMRAAM, the European system could hit the market at an ideal moment.

[buglerbilly]

Raytheon SDB II moves ahead

14 December 2011 - 15:15 by the Shephard News Team



Raytheon has completed a series of captive flight tests on the Small Diameter Bomb II, demonstrating that the company's tri-mode seeker could acquire and track moving vehicles. Raytheon made the announcement in a 13 December 2011 company statement.

Testing saw a seeker built on an active production line mounted on a UH-1 helicopter successfully track moving targets from different distances, angles and altitudes using uncooled imaging infrared (IIR) and millimetre-wave (MMW) radar modes. The tests met all objectives and set the stage for a free-flight test in 2012.

The SDB II is the world's first weapon capable of engaging fixed or moving targets around-the-clock in adverse weather conditions from a range of greater than 40 nautical miles (approximately 46 statute miles).

According to Raytheon, with SDB II, enemies can no longer use darkness, battlefield obscurants or inclement weather to hide their troop movements. SDB II's integrated tri-mode seeker fuses MMW radar, uncooled IIR and semiactive laser sensors on a single gimbal, which enables the weapon to seek and destroy targets despite weather conditions.

[buglerbilly]

S. Korea to Make Bunker-Buster Bombs: Lawmaker

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Published: 16 Dec 2011 12:08

1.5 metre thick concrete doesn't seem to be a very thick wall to penetrate? I'd have thought they would need to go for thicker...........but then again they undoubtedly know the average thicknesses of their potential targets!

SEOUL - South Korea is developing a bomb capable of penetrating North Korean bunkers or caves housing artillery pieces, according to a member of parliament's defense committee.

An aide to lawmaker Song Young-Sun quoted her as saying that the state-run Agency for Defense Development (ADD) launched a 6.2 billion won ($5.35 million) project last year to develop the "bunker-buster."

ADD officials declined to comment.

"ADD is developing a bomb capable of penetrating 1.5-metre-thick (4.95 feet) concrete walls with a view to completion by 2013," Song was quoted assaying in comments Dec. 15. "When developed, this weapon will be used for precision strikes against military strongholds in the North."

A military official told Chosun Ilbo newspaper the new bombs would be capable of destroying most bunkers and other structures hiding airplanes and tanks.

North Korea's long-range artillery is often hidden in fortified caves and rolled out to fire shots before being rapidly pushed back. For this reason, South Korean troops were unable to retaliate effectively with their K-9 howitzers when the North shelled Yeonpyeong Island near the disputed Yellow Sea border in November last year. Four South Koreans including two Marines were killed.

The ADD also plans to develop another bomb capable of penetrating five-six meters once the initial bunker-buster is completed, Chosun said.

[buglerbilly]

Boeing’s Mystery Missile



Could this be the secret new strike weapons Boeing executives told a bunch of us reporters the company was working on during the Farnborough air show in 2010?

I spotted the mystery weapon in Boeing’s booth at the Surface Navy Association’s annual conference here in Washington. I’d never seen the design or the name before so I promptly asked about it; no one staffing the booth claimed to know any more than I did about the weapon (they did, however, give me a refresher on their railgun tech).

Here’s what Bill Sweetman wrote at Av Week after a Boeing official’s admission that it had a secret new strike weapon (I’ve got to admit, I was in the room, but chose to write about the new stealthy Super Hornet that Boeing unveiled at the same press conference.):


Boeing is in production on at least one “proprietary” strike weapon system, claims Shelley Lavender, vice president and general manager of global strike systems. But Lavender refused July 20 at the Farnborough International Airshow to provide more information when pressed.

“I have nothing further for you on that,” the executive said.

Could it be a Tomahawk cruise missile/AGM-86 replacement; a part of the so called, “family” of next-gen strike systems being designed for use by the Navy and the Air Force?

Maybe it will be a stealthy, stand-off cruise missile meant to fit inside the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter’s internal weapons bay. Remember, the stealthy AGM-158B Joint Air to Surface Stand-off Munition is too large to be carried inside the F-35, meaning that it would compromise the jet’s stealth if carried aboard the wings. Norway is already working on a stand-off missile that would fit inside the F-35’s weapons bay. Competition?

Maybe it has to do with this penetrating weapon that’s intended to be a mini–MOP carried by the F-35.

It could also be some new name for the Joint Dual Role Air Dominance Munition.

Read more: http://defensetech.org/#ixzz1jPKLCw7Q
Defense.org

[buglerbilly]

Pentagon Said to Propose Ending $6.8 Billion Missile, Satellite

January 20, 2012, 12:48 AM EST

By Tony Capaccio

The death of JAGM AGAIN! How many times have they tried to kill it off so far 3, 4 or 5 times...........they "succeeded" when it was called JCM but then hey presto its back again as JAGM! Mind you withe various Hellfire 2 variations around and still being built, there is little apparent urgency to leap to JAGM...........

Jan. 20 (Bloomberg) -- The Pentagon will propose canceling a potential $6.8 billion Army missile program that pits Lockheed Martin Corp. against Raytheon Co., a Northrop Grumman Corp. weather satellite, and an Air Force light-attack aircraft, according to a government official.

The Joint Air-to-Ground Missile, the Defense Weather AGAINSatellite System, and the plane are included on a list of weapons programs that would be terminated under the fiscal 2013 defense budget to be sent to Congress next month, according to the official, who spoke yesterday on condition of anonymity before Defense Secretary Leon Panetta releases some budget details on Jan. 26.

The three programs would be ended along with a 10-year-old initiative costing about $4 billion under which Boeing Co. is upgrading C-130 Hercules transports with modern cockpit electronics.

The satellite for environmental monitoring is in the initial stages so there’s no specific dollar value for savings from calling it off. The Air Force planned to buy two satellites. Northrop Grumman said in May it received authorization and funding to proceed with development for a projected initial launch in 2018. The Pentagon requested $445 million in fiscal 2012.

The Senate’s defense appropriations panel in its fiscal 2012 bill called for terminating the program, citing “a difficult and confusing set of management issues.” The final House-Senate negotiated version spared the satellite while cutting funds.

Northrop Grumman spokesman Randy Belote said the Falls Church, Virginia-based company had no comment “until the Air Force publicly issues a statement on the status of the program.”

Raytheon Versus Lockheed

The new joint missile that would be canceled is a potential $6.8 billion project pitting Raytheon of Waltham, Massachusetts, the world’s largest missile maker, against Lockheed Martin of Bethesda, Maryland, the world’s largest defense company, which arms many of the U.S. military’s helicopters and drones with its Hellfire missiles.

The contest winner was to build about 33,853 of the missiles for helicopters, drones and fighter jets flown by the Navy, Army and Marines. Each missile is expected to cost $202,000, according to the Government Accountability Office.

The Joint Air-to-Ground Missile, or JAGM, is designed to equip the Army’s Apache AH-64D made by Boeing, the MQ-1 C Gray Eagle drones made by General Atomics, and the OH-58 Kiowa Warrior helicopters made by Bell Helicopter, a unit of Textron Inc. of Providence, Rhode Island.

Navy, Marine Plans

The Navy and Marine Corps plan to install it on the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet fighter jets made by Boeing, the Seahawk MH-60R helicopter made by Sikorsky Aircraft, a unit of United Technologies Corp., and the AH-1Z Super Cobra helicopters made by Bell.

“Lockheed Martin has not been notified of any change to the JAGM program,” Melissa Hilliard, a spokeswoman, said in an e-mail. Raytheon spokesman Michael Nachshen declined to comment on the program’s status.

Also to be canceled is the Air Force’s new Light Attack and Armed Reconnaissance aircraft program for irregular warfare.

The program is in the early stages with no approved acquisition strategy and was under review, Air Force Major General Jay Lindell told a House Armed Services Committee panel in November.

“The acquisition strategy has not been fully approved,” Lindell said. “It is on hold.”

Lockheed Martin and Hawker Beechcraft Corp. formed a team in 2009 to vie for the program. Boeing also was prepared to compete.

--With assistance from Roxana Tiron in Washington. Editors: Larry Liebert, Terry Atlas

To contact the reporter on this story: Tony Capaccio in Washington at acapaccio@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: John Walcott at jwalcott9@bloomberg.net

[ADMk2]

Except for fast jets because Hellfire can't be carried by them. Everything else (Helos, UAV's, C-130's etc) can make do with Hellfire for many years to come yet.

If the fast jets REALLY need a light ai to ground missile, just get Raytheon or whoever to build Brimstone I/II under licence in the US. It's already done all the hard yards in design and introduced extended range, multi-seeker capability etc. Just integrate that weapon and move the ferk on!

Most of these sorts of missions in furture will be covered by Small Diameter Bomb II anyway... Just make a small purchase of Brimstone for the niche role of a CAS / anti-tank from a fast jet and be done with it. Billions are achieved in savings and the USAf/USN/USMC actually has a REAL capability!

Win win.

(I know, I really should stop using logic...)

[tiddles]

Except for fast jets because Hellfire can't be carried by them. Everything else (Helos, UAV's, C-130's etc) can make do with Hellfire for many years to come yet.

If the fast jets REALLY need a light ai to ground missile, just get Raytheon or whoever to build Brimstone I/II under licence in the US. It's already done all the hard yards in design and introduced extended range, multi-seeker capability etc. Just integrate that weapon and move the ferk on!

Most of these sorts of missions in furture will be covered by Small Diameter Bomb II anyway... Just make a small purchase of Brimstone for the niche role of a CAS / anti-tank from a fast jet and be done with it. Billions are achieved in savings and the USAf/USN/USMC actually has a REAL capability!

Win win.

(I know, I really should stop using logic...)
Logic seems to go out the window when billions of dollars are at stake.Brimstone seems to have worked for the RAF during the Libyan shindig & seems to fit the bill for what is needed here , why not just get some & stop frigging around wasting with billions that you are going to have to start saving sooner than you think.Last bit here is a different topic but money is going to get scarcer for US military to waste fairly soon IMO.
Tiddles
Tiddles

[ADMk2]

Logic seems to go out the window when billions of dollars are at stake.Brimstone seems to have worked for the RAF during the Libyan shindig & seems to fit the bill for what is needed here , why not just get some & stop frigging around wasting with billions that you are going to have to start saving sooner than you think.Last bit here is a different topic but money is going to get scarcer for US military to waste fairly soon IMO.
Tiddles
Tiddles

Yep and the usual bleating by local defence industry can just go to hell. If they hadn't torn the arse out of the contracts for years they wouldn't be getting cancelled anyway. The US is perfectly happy to buy a range of foreign platforms, systems etc, buy the licence, manufacture them locally and then develop them further themselves anyway, cancelling JAGM now and buying Brimstone would save a bunch of expenditure right NOW and would solve a capability gap. Problem solved.

Apparently the T-6 Texan II, T-45 Goshawk, Panther helicopters, C-27J, FN Minimi, FN MAG 7.62mm, the AGM-119 Penguin anti-ship missile, the BROACH warhead in the JSOW and so on were all good enough for US service and didn't take food off contractors plates in the USA, despite all coming from foreign designs....

[buglerbilly]

Errmm agree generally but C-27J is still made in Italy due to the fact the USAF has "screwed the pooch" over future numbers and declined to commit to more beyond the current production run DESPITE the fact the US Army wants/needs more.

To be honest, I'd take everything off the USAF apart from Fighters and Bombers..........they are incompetent to run anything to do with Army support. Similar applies to Medium/Heavy helicopter support and transports in the UK, take them from the RAF and give them to the Army, the latter is the PRIME User after all.

[ADMk2]

Errmm agree generally but C-27J is still made in Italy due to the fact the USAF has "screwed the pooch" over future numbers and declined to commit to more beyond the current production run DESPITE the fact the US Army wants/needs more.

To be honest, I'd take everything off the USAF apart from Fighters and Bombers..........they are incompetent to run anything to do with Army support. Similar applies to Medium/Heavy helicopter support and transports in the UK, take them from the RAF and give them to the Army, the latter is the PRIME User after all.

The point is that piece of foreign designed equipment is good enough. So are many others and Brimstone like the cancellation of the F136 is a "lay down misere" to save a heap of cash and yet still get the capability US TACAIR apparently needs.

[buglerbilly]

World’s first net-enabled weapon completes developmental testing


A view of the QST-35 Seaborne Powered Target (SEPTAR) vessel just prior to an inert Joint Stand-off Weapon(JSOW)C-1 impacting its designated aimpoint during a free-flight test in fall 2011 at Point Mugu Sea Range, Calif. (U.S. Navy photo)

Jan 24, 2012

NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. – The Navy recently completed a milestone test phase for its network-enabled weapon that will give forces greater effectiveness at sea.

Joint Stand-off Weapon (JSOW) C -1, DoD’s first network-enabled weapon, completed developmental test (DT) in late 2011 at Point Mugu Sea Range, Calif. The completion of DT enables the program to transition into the integrated test ahead of schedule.

The air-to-ground, medium-range, precision-guided glide weapon employs a GPS/inertial navigation system and an imaging infrared seeker for terminal guidance.

“This weapon will provide a new and essential capability to the warfighters’ anti-surface warfare weapon inventory,” said Capt. Carl Chebi, JSOW C-1 program manager. “The recent free-flight test demonstrates the JSOW C-1’s effectiveness against moving maritime targets.”

The recent test conducted by Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 31 verified the weapon's characteristics meet design performance requirements. The weapon hit its designated target, a QST-35 Seaborne Powered Target (SEPTAR) vessel measuring only 56 feet in length and moving at 15 knots. The test also demonstrated the weapon’s ability to receive in-flight commands and proved its capability of handing off control of the weapon to a third-party platform.

Throughout 2012, VX-31 and VX-9 will conduct two additional maritime free-flight tests as well as two flights against land test in Point Mugu. Tests events will be similar to missions JSOW C-1 will execute when operational.

The maritime tests will refine the data collected, thus far, providing additional assurance of the weapon’s capability against moving maritime targets. The land-based regression testing will focus on verifying that the JSOW C-1’s updated seeker software retained the legacy JSOW C stationary land target capabilities.

“Integrated testing will provide the additional data points we need to refine the weapon’s capabilities, as well as to assess the JSOW C-1 in an operationally representative environment,” said Cmdr. Samuel Hanaki, JSOW deputy program manager.

After the integrated test phase, the program will enter into operational testing in fiscal 2013.

PEO(U&W) Public Affairs
(301) 757-9703

[buglerbilly]

JANUARY 28, 2012.

Pentagon Seeks Mightier Bomb vs. Iran

By ADAM ENTOUS And JULIAN E. BARNES

WASHINGTON—Pentagon war planners have concluded that their largest conventional bomb isn't yet capable of destroying Iran's most heavily fortified underground facilities, and are stepping up efforts to make it more powerful, according to U.S. officials briefed on the plan.

The 30,000-pound "bunker-buster" bomb, known as the Massive Ordnance Penetrator, was specifically designed to take out the hardened fortifications built by Iran and North Korea to cloak their nuclear programs.


Defense Threat Reduction Agency / Associated Press
A crew loaded a 'bunker buster' at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico in 2007; the military hopes to make the bomb more powerful.

But initial tests indicated that the bomb, as currently configured, wouldn't be capable of destroying some of Iran's facilities, either because of their depth or because Tehran has added new fortifications to protect them.

Doubts about the MOP's effectiveness prompted the Pentagon this month to secretly submit a request to Congress for funding to enhance the bomb's ability to penetrate deeper into rock, concrete and steel before exploding, the officials said.

The push to boost the power of the MOP is part of stepped-up contingency planning for a possible strike against Iran's nuclear program, say U.S. officials.

The Defense Department has spent about $330 million so far to develop about 20 of the bombs, which are built by Boeing Co. The Pentagon is seeking about $82 million more to make the bomb more effective, according to government officials briefed on the plan.

Some experts question if any kind of conventional explosives are capable of reaching facilities such as those built deep underground in Iran. But U.S. defense officials say they believe the MOP could already do damage sufficient to set back the program.

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, in an interview with The Wall Street Journal Thursday, acknowledged the bomb's shortcomings against some of Iran's deepest bunkers. He said more development work would be done and that he expected the bomb to be ready to take on the deepest bunkers soon.

"We're still trying to develop them," Mr. Panetta said.

President Barack Obama has made clear that he believes U.S. and international sanctions can curb Iran's nuclear program if they are given more time to work. At the same time, however, Mr. Obama has asked the Pentagon to come up with military options.

In Tuesday's State of the Union address, Mr. Obama said: "Let there be no doubt: America is determined to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon, and I will take no options off the table to achieve that goal." Iran denies it is trying to develop atomic weapons.

The U.S. has sought in recent weeks to tamp down tensions with Iran, but the Pentagon is at the same time pushing ahead with contingency planning.

"The development of this weapon is not intended to send a signal to any one particular country," Pentagon press secretary George Little said. "It's a capability we believe we need in our arsenal and will continue to invest in it."

Officials said the planned improvements to the MOP were meant to overcome shortcomings that emerged in initial testing. They said the new money was meant to ensure the weapon would be more effective against the deepest bunkers, including Iran's Fordow enrichment plant facility, which is buried in a mountain complex surrounded by antiaircraft batteries, making it a particularly difficult target even for the most powerful weapons available to the U.S.

Developing an effective bunker-buster is complicated in part because of the variables, experts say. Penetration varies depending on factors such as soil density and the types of stone and rock shielding the target.

Boeing received a contract in 2009 to fit the weapon on the U.S.'s B-2 Stealth Bomber. The Air Force began receiving the first of the bombs in September, a time of growing tensions with Iran. The Air Force has so far contracted to buy 20 of the bombs, and more deliveries are expected in 2013, after additional tests are made.

Should a decision be made to use the MOP as currently configured, it could cause "a lot of damage" to Iran's underground nuclear facilities but wouldn't necessarily destroy them outright, Mr. Panetta said.

"We're developing it. I think we're pretty close, let's put it that way. But we're still working at it because these things are not easy to be able to make sure that they will do what we want them to."

Mr. Panetta added: "But I'm confident, frankly, that we're going to have that capability and have it soon,"

The decision to ask now for more money to develop the weapon was directly related to efforts by the U.S. military's Central Command to prepare military options against Iran as quickly as possible, according to a person briefed on the request for additional funds.

A senior defense official said the U.S. had other options besides the MOP to set back Iran's nuclear program. "The Massive Ordnance Penetrators are by no means the only capability at our disposal to deal with potential nuclear threats in Iran," the official said.

Another senior U.S. official said the Pentagon could make up for the MOPs' shortcomings by dropping them along with other guided bombs on top of a bunker's entry and exit points—provided the intelligence is available about where they are all located.

Successful strikes on bunker entry and exit points could prevent an enemy from accessing such a site and could cause enough damage to stop or slow enrichment activity there.

"There is a virtue to deepness but you still need to get in and out," the senior U.S. official said.

The Pentagon was particularly concerned about its ability to destroy bunkers built under mountains, such as Iran's Fordow site near the Shiite Muslim holy city of Qom, according to a former senior U.S. official who is an expert on Iran.

The official said some Pentagon war planners believe conventional bombs won't be effective against Fordow and that a tactical nuclear weapon may be the only military option if the goal is to destroy the facility. "Once things go into the mountain, then really you have to have something that takes the mountain off," the official said.

The official said the MOP may be more effective against Iran's main enrichment plant at Natanz but added: "But even that is guesswork."

The Pentagon notified Congress in mid-January that it wants to divert around $82 million to refine the MOP, taking the money from other defense programs. The decision to sidestep the normal budget request process suggests the Pentagon deems the MOP upgrades to be a matter of some urgency.

Mr. Panetta said Iran wasn't the only potential target. "It's not just aimed at Iran. Frankly, it's aimed at any enemy that decides to locate in some kind of impenetrable location. The goal here is to be able to get at any enemy, anywhere," he said

Mr. Panetta and former Defense Secretary Robert Gates have argued that a military strike would at best delay Iran's nuclear development for a few years. Advocates of a strike say such a delay could be decisive by buying time for other efforts to thwart the program.

According to Air Force officials, the 20.5 foot-long MOP carries over 5,300 pounds of explosive material. It is designed to penetrate up to 200 feet underground before exploding. The mountain above the Iranian enrichment site at Fordow is estimated to be at least 200 feet tall.

Israel has large bunker-buster bombs but the U.S. hasn't provided the MOP to any other country.

Write to Adam Entous at adam.entous@wsj.com and Julian E. Barnes at julian.barnes@wsj.com

[ARH v.3.1]

If the US wanted to they could fit a small nuclear warhead into the MOP. The bomb should be able to tunnel itself far enough underground to minimise radiation leakage, while blowing the shite out of anything that happens to be underneath it.

[ADMk2]

I've dug a pit or two in my time and it's quite an amazing fact that you can dig a certain amount of material out of the ground with a single spadeful, by adding a second you can almost double that effect. Multiple that single spadeful by ten or more and pretty soon you have a large hole in the ground.

They don't need a bigger bomb, they just need to drop more of them...

They are buying 20 for $355m. They are also buying 179x KC-46 Tankers. Make it 178x and you've got yourself at least another 20 MOP's...

[Weasel]

I've dug a pit or two in my time and it's quite an amazing fact that you can dig a certain amount of material out of the ground with a single spadeful, by adding a second you can almost double that effect. Multiple that single spadeful by ten or more and pretty soon you have a large hole in the ground.

They don't need a bigger bomb, they just need to drop more of them...

They are buying 20 for $355m. They are also buying 179x KC-46 Tankers. Make it 178x and you've got yourself at least another 20 MOP's...
Or, you take advantage of platforms with multiple bays e.g. the Bone... and create a segmented penetrator through a sequential launch sequence. It has long been known that a segmented penetrator (preferably 5 segments or sub units) has superior performance over a single unit. Same holds true for super-cavitating weapons like the MOP.

The average density of the earth's crust is 7.65 grams per cubic centimeter (depending on who you talk too). All you do is a survey of the target, determine the average density and adjust the release time of the penetrators to achieve maximum results.

cheers

w

[ARH v.3.1]

.

[buglerbilly]

Raytheon, US Navy Complete JSOW C-1 Developmental Testing

(Source: Raytheon Company; issued February 2, 2012)

TUCSON, Ariz. --- The U.S. Navy completed developmental testing (DT) of the Raytheon Company Joint Standoff Weapon C-1. The conclusion of DT brings U.S. and allied warfighters one step closer to being able to engage moving ships as far as 60 nautical miles (70 statute miles) away with an air-launched weapon. Developmental testing finished when the JSOW C-1 struck a small, fast-moving ship target during the weapon's second flight test.

"The JSOW C-1 is a network-enabled weapon which will be capable of receiving third party target updates in-flight and strike a precise point on a moving ship using its autonomous terminal seeker," said Cmdr. Samuel Hanaki of the U.S. Navy's Precision Strike Weapons program office. "In addition to marking the completion of DT, this test keeps the program on track for reaching initial operational capability in 2013."

During the test, which met all objectives, the JSOW C-1 was released from an F/A-18F Super Hornet and guided to a small, fast moving ship target located 25 nautical miles (approximately 29 statute miles) from the launch point. The JSOW C-1 provided weapon in-flight track and bomb hit indication status messages via the Link-16 network. The weapon also incorporated in-flight target updates provided by a second Super Hornet's Raytheon APG-79 Active Electronically Scanned Array radar that was 10 nautical miles behind the Super Hornet that launched the weapon.

"The 280 Raytheon employees in Tucson, Ariz., and hundreds of supplier employees across the U.S. worked hard to make this test a success and demonstrate JSOW C-1's ability to operate on the Link-16 network," said Phyllis McEnroe, JSOW program director for Raytheon Missile Systems.

JSOW is a family of low-cost, air-to-ground weapons that employs an integrated GPS- inertial navigation system and terminal imaging infrared seeker. JSOW C-1 adds moving maritime target capability and the two-way Strike Common Weapon Datalink to the combat-proven weapon.

--JSOW C-1 is the world's first networked weapon, and has a range of more than 100 kilometers (more than 60 nautical miles).
--The U.S. Navy completed the first free-flight test of JSOW C-1 on July 26, 2011, and the second test on Nov. 30, 2011.
--Raytheon is using company funding to develop a powered version of the JSOW that has the potential to fly more than 300 nautical miles.

Raytheon Company, with 2011 sales of $25 billion, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 71,000 people worldwide.

-ends-

[buglerbilly]

Bunker-Buster Bomb Improvements Sought by Pentagon Win Approval

February 09, 2012, 6:12 PM EST

By Tony Capaccio

Feb. 9 (Bloomberg) -- The Pentagon won congressional approval to shift $81.6 million in funds improve the military’s largest conventional weapon, the 30,000-pound Boeing Co. Massive Ordnance Penetrator, known as the bunker-buster bomb.

The Senate defense appropriations subcommittee on Feb. 7 became the fourth and final defense panel to approve the shift from programs deemed less important, Pentagon spokeswoman Lieutenant Colonel Elizabeth Robbins said today in an e-mail. ‘It was an urgent request,” Robbins said without elaboration.

The move to improve the bomb shortly after the Air Force took delivery may have been triggered by Iran’s announcement Jan. 9 that it would begin uranium enrichment at the Fordow facility near Qom that’s tunneled into mountains, said Kenneth Katzman, a Middle East military analyst for the non-partisan Congressional Research Service.

“This is a very hard target, and the international community believes that if Iran were to attempt a nuclear breakout, it would be conducted at this site,” Katzman said of the enrichment activity, which could be used to produce enough material for a nuclear device. Iran says its nuclear program is for civilian uses.

The Pentagon request to upgrade the bomb was submitted 11 days after the International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed the enrichment activity. The location at Qom is 90 meters (295 feet) under rock, said David Albright, founder and president of the Institute for Science and International Security in Washington.

Tail Fin, Fuse

Pentagon Comptroller Robert Hale said in a Jan. 20 request to Congress that the money was needed to “fix issues identified in testing, including tail-fin modifications and integrating a second fuse, enhance weapon capabilities, build test targets and conduct live weapon testing. The request funds the immediate requirement to support the desired upgrade schedule,” Hale wrote.

Boeing, based in Chicago, is manufacturing the bomb, which was successfully demonstrated in March 2007.

The Air Force took delivery in September of the first of 20 bombs built to fit in the B-2 stealth bomber. The bomb is six times bigger than the 5,000-pound (2,268 kilogram) bunker-buster that the U.S. Air Force and the Israeli Air Force have to attack deeply buried nuclear, biological or chemical sites.

A December 2007 story by the Air Force News Service said the new bomb has a hardened-steel casing and can reach targets as far as 200 feet underground before exploding.

The 20.5-foot-long bomb carries more than 5,300 pounds of explosives and is guided by Global Positioning System satellites, according to a description on the website of the Pentagon’s Defense Threat Reduction Agency.

An Air Force fact sheet says “final system refinement, design and test will be complete in 2012, with additional deliveries in 2013.”

--Editor: Larry Liebert, Ann Hughey.

To contact the reporter on this story: Tony Capaccio in Washington at acapaccio@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Mark Silva at msilva34@bloomberg.net

[buglerbilly]

IMI’s MPR 500 Warhead Approved for use with JDAM

Tamir Eshel February 12, 2012 19:14

Israel Military Industries Ltd. announced today that the Boeing Company [NYSE:BA] has approved IMI’s 500-pound Multi Purpose Rigid (MPR 500) Bomb as compatible with their Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) guidance kit.

The combination of IMI’s MPR 500 with Boeing’s JDAM guidance kit substantially enhances operational flexibility while reducing total ownership costs. With increased penetrating power and reduced collateral damage fragmentation, the MPR 500 was designed to defeat targets more commonly found in today’s fighting areana. By delivering IMI’s focused munition with Boeing’s reliable history of precision guidance, the MPR 500 JDAM system is ideal for gardened targets in dense urban areas or in close proximity to friendly troops.


Photo: IMI


Photo: IMI

IMI’s MPR 500 is a combat-proven 500-poud bomb with improved penetration capabilities and gas the same dimensions as a MK-82.

The bomb can penetrate more than one meter of reinforced concrete or punch through four 200mm thick walls or floors.
Because of its 500-pound size, MPR 500 enhances aircraft carriage efficiency, increasing the number of targets that can be engaged per sortie.

MPR 500 provides concentrated blast effects, utilizing approximately 26,000 controlled fragments. This reduces collateral damage risk within one hundred meters. By creating a straight penetration path through the target, the MPR 500 virtually eliminates the “J Effect”, in which the bomb’s warhead breaks on impact causing it to explode incorrectly.



MPR 500 is being displayed by IMI at the Singapore Airshow.

[buglerbilly]

Ares

A Defense Technology Blog

Video: APKWS Goes to War

Posted by David A. Fulghum at 2/14/2012 7:28 AM CST

An unguided, Vietnam War-vintage missile with a dispersion pattern of up to 500 yards at medium ranges is being transformed into a precision air-to-ground weapon that already has been fired into a laser spot – about the size of a basketball – at a range of three miles.



Uploaded by AviationWeek on Jan 25, 2012
Credit: BAE Systems

The new weapon, with a warhead that can punch through a wall and then explode, is expected to be operational on U.S. Marine Corps helicopters in Afghanistan as early as this spring.

BAE Systems expects to deliver its next batch of low-rate production Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) missiles directly to the U.S. Marine Corps for shipment to operational units. The first 325 low-rate production missiles were delivered to the Navy Department in December, and the second lot of 600 missiles will be dispatched in early Fiscal 2012. With the end of operational testing in Jan., a full-rate production decision for about 1,000 missiles a year is expected to follow early in the year.

“On the AH-1W Cobra it will fill the weapons gap between guns and the Hellfire,” says Maj. Ryan Schiller, former lead operational test director for Air Test and Evaluation Squadron-Nine (VX-9)at China Lake, Calif. Naval Air Warfare Center. “On the UH-1Y it will introduce a precision guided missile capability that is new for the Huey side of the house. The overall result is going to be a higher number of precision kills per sortie, and it will improve aircrew survivability due to increased standoff ranges. It also offers a low-yield weapon for urban conflict where collateral damage has to be minimized.”

So how does the magic work with a missile that is 29% of the weight and about 15% of the cost of the benchmark AGM-114 Hellfire missile? Part of the answer is lots and lots of warehoused missiles that are already paid for and can be easily modified.

BAE Systems came up with a mid-body addition – the WGU-59/B guidance section – that can simply be screwed into place between the existing warhead and Mk.66 Mod. 4 rocket motor, says Lt. Col. Raymond Schreiner, lead test pilot for VX-31 at China Lake.

The mid-body guidance section has four small wings with flaperon flight control surfaces on the trailing edge and an optical sensor on the leading edge of each.

“The wings provide heavy, stable platforms,” says Dick Venuti, BAE System’s technical director for Missiles and Munitions Solutions.

“When they open and lock, they become an optical bench. The missile’s accuracy depends on how much each wing doesn’t move.”

Key to the mid-body design was development of the Distributed Aperture Semi-Active Laser’s electronics stack and optics. The package is about the size of a soda can with guidance, seeker, computers and receiver electronics all connected through four fiber optic bundles to the optical sensors on each wing.

During production, the wings and “eyeball” optics are folded and stored inside the missile where they are insulated with a “wing slot shield” against weather, heat, particulates and blast damage from adjacent rockets. Before loading the missiles, they are updated with the laser code of the day.

During the launch is where a mid-body sensor array shows its value.

“Rockets with nose mounted seekers have a tough time with adjacent rocket fire,” Venuti says. “It takes all the output of the rocket motor with its very corrosive, high-aluminum content and puts it on the face of any exposed seeker. Inside the launcher, the over pressures were more than anyone expected. With APKWS, the missile interior is water, pressure, carbon and aluminum tight.”

Read the Feb. 20th edition of Aviation Week & Space Technology for more details.

[buglerbilly]

WhipShot – Low Cost Guided Weapon from IMI

Noam Eshel February 14, 2012 17:07



IMI is unveiling the Whipshot, a guided weapon developed for light aircraft, offering operators of light aircraft affordable precision firepower. IMI is discussing the new weapon with a number of aircraft manufacturers, including Embraer, which was recently selected to deliver the Super Tucano under the US Air Force Light Attack aircraft (LAAR) program. The WhipShot uses an airframe derived from the Mapatz missile, using the original missile guidance system. Instead of having an on-board guidance solution the missile is tracked by the launching aircraft EO target acquisition system, utilizing a wireless command link to update the weapon’s flight directing it to the target. According to IMI, the result is a highly affordable aerial weapon, that costs much less than the Hellfire, but offers the precision and control of a guided weapon. IMI also plans to offer an enhanced version equipped with an aided INS/GPS guidance.

[buglerbilly]

Problems With Motor Slow U.S. AMRAAM Buys

Feb. 14, 2012 - 05:31PM

By Dave Majumdar


The quality of the AMRAAM missiles delivered to the U.S. Air Force is “fine,” according to the service's top aquisition official, but the weapons can't be produced in quantity due to a high rejection rate for the rocket motors being built. (Raytheon)

The Pentagon has slowed down its purchases of the new AIM-120D version of the Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) because of problems with producing its rocket motors, the U.S. Air Force’s top acquisition official said.

“They’re behind on the delivery of the missile,” David Van Buren said Feb. 14 of the Raytheon-produced system. “There are problems with the motor.”

Van Buren was speaking to reporters after his speech at a defense conference in Arlington, Va. The Air Force has reduced the number of missiles it is buying to 113 units, down from 138 the year before. Overall, the Pentagon plans to spend $423 million on continued production of the active radar-guided AIM-120D for a total of 180 missiles, including Navy and Marine Corps buys.

Van Buren said the quality of the missiles that have been delivered is “fine,” but the weapons can’t be produced in quantity due to a high rejection rate for the rocket motors being built.

“I wouldn’t characterize it as a defect, I would characterize it as a through-put issue,” he said. “The through-put of acceptable motors is not meeting production schedules.”

But the Pentagon must have the new AMRAAM variant.

“The AMRAAM is a critical part of the air-to-air mission,” Van Buren said.

The next-generation Joint Dual-Role Air Dominance Missile, which would have replaced both the AMRAAM and the AGM-88 High Speed Anti-Radiation missile, which is used to suppress enemy air defenses, has been terminated because it was unaffordable.

[ADMk2]

Hmm. Wasn't Bill Sweetman telling us the motors on the -D model are EXACTLY the same as those on the -C7 model and therefore any range improvements for the -D (one of the upgrade goals) can only be insignificant?

I don't recall hearing of any issues with the -C7 model motors...

[buglerbilly]

Raytheon Restarts Production of Laser-guided Maverick for US Air Force, Navy

SINGAPORE, Feb. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- After more than two decades, Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has formally restarted production of the laser-guided Maverick missile, with the first weapon expected to be delivered to the U.S. Air Force in late 2012.

Production began following a rigorous U.S. Air Force and Navy Developmental Testing/Operational Testing program that culminated in a production contract in late 2011.

"The combat-proven laser Maverick has demonstrated its effectiveness against frigate size ships, small moving boats, tanks, fortified personnel and fast moving maneuvering vehicles in excess of 70 miles per hour," said Harry Schulte, vice president of Raytheon Missile Systems' Air Warfare Systems product line. "We are focused on getting laser-guided Maverick to the U.S. warfighter, and hope to also provide this weapon to U.S. allies since it is available via both Direct Commercial Sales and Foreign Military Sales."

During DT/OT, U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps aviators fired 15 AGM-65E2/L laser-guided Maverick missiles at moving and stationary targets, some of which were moving in excess of 70 miles per hour (110 km). The weapons were fired from F-16s, A-10s, the F/A-18 and AV-8B Harriers.

About the Maverick Family of Missiles

The laser-guided Maverick missile is a direct-attack, air-to-ground precision munition used extensively by the U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps in ongoing combat operations. The AGM-65E2/L has an enhanced laser seeker and new software that reduces the risk of collateral damage.

- Maverick is integrated on 25 aircraft and in the inventory of 33 nations.
- Maverick has been used in combat thousands of times.
- The AGM-65E2/L can use onboard, buddy and ground-based lasing to designate targets.
- The laser-guided Maverick can hit land- and sea-based moving targets that are traveling faster than 70 miles per hour.

[buglerbilly]

IMI Explores an Air-launched Derivative of the Extra Rocket

Tamir Eshel February 16, 2012 09:53

Israel Military Industries (IMI) is exploring a new air launched application of the 300mm Extra guided ballistic surface launched rocket, enabling air forces to perform autonomous, precision standoff attack, at extended ranges, well outside the effective protected range of even the most advanced air defense systems. The Extra rocket was developed by IMI and IAI MLM division as a surface launched guided rocket, capable of attacking fixed or relocatable targets from distances of 160 km, using an aerodynamically guided, roll stabilized rocket.


EXTRA - Extended range Rocket System. Photo: IMI

The Extra guidance system enables rocket artillery units to attack land targets with ‘less than 10 meter’ precision, regardless of the distance they are fired at – according to IMI. The weapon’s guidance uses an inertial measuring unit (IMU) coupled to a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS), forming a range-independent navigation system providing high immunity to GPS spoofing and countermeasures. The Air-launched Extra will be able to receive target coordinates from the cockpit during flight, or programmed before takeoff, via direct download of mission data.

The rocket will be a derivative of the existing airframe; with a length of around 4.3 meters and a weight of 500 kg. According to IMI, the weapon will carry a warhead weighing about 100 kg. Given the proven capabilities demonstrated by the MPR-500 warhead, and the proven capability of the Extra rocket to hit targets with high precision; IMI is confident that the 100kg warhead of the Air-Launched Extra could offer unmatched mission efficiency in terms of lethality, attack precision and collateral damage risk, when compared to other air-launched, standoff guided weapons. The actual range of the air-launched version has not been released yet.


The Extra rocket was developed by IMI and IAI MLM division as a surface launched guided rocket, capable of attacking fixed or relocatable targets from distances of 160 km, using an aerodynamically guided, roll stabilized rocket. Photo: IMI

According to IMI the new weapon could be carried directly on an underwing pylon capable of carrying a Mk83 bomb, with typically four rockets per platform. However, since the Extra is not confirming to existing aerial weapons, IMI will have to clear the flight envelope for every platform it hopes to offer the new weapon for. IMI considers the air launched Extra as an optional weapon for upgraded fighter (F-5, AMX, Su-25 or F-16 could be considered), as well as for indigenous fighters of the type of the F/A-50 or LCA class, where such weapons may offer an affordable, supersonic precision attack potential, from standoff distance – capabilities that are hardly achieved even with the most advanced and costliest platforms.

[buglerbilly]

Ares

A Defense Technology Blog

UAVs Need To Adapt For Contested Airspace

Posted by Paul McLeary at 2/16/2012 7:01 AM CST



As all good things must end, so too will the current era of uncontested airspace in which American UAVs have operated over the past decade-plus. So what are the Pentagon and the defense industry doing to plan for it? It's something we explored in the February issue of DTI, and you can read the story here.

The days of permissive airspace are hardly over. In fact, most of the missions the U.S. will fly in the foreseeable future will likely occur in permissive airspace, says retired Lt. Gen. David Deptula, who was the Air Force’s first ISR chief. Deptula believes that technology itself isn’t the issue as much as how the organizations that control it are thinking through the problem. “What we need to be looking at are innovative ways to accomplish the same kinds of outcomes or desired effects with fewer resources,” he says. “Dollars expended, personnel required and numbers of systems. We also have to think about different ways of doing business. Right now if you want more capability you add more sensors which adds more data collection which now requires greater bandwidth to offboard the data.” The key to reducing the amount of data sent to be collected to the ground (which makes it vulnerable to hacking) lies in processing that information on board and sending back only that which is of interest, and adding greater autonomy to the platform so it doesn’t rely on a “man-in-the-loop” to carry out the simplest tasks.

All of this stealth, autonomy, processing power and successive generations of intelligence-gathering technologies won’t come cheap. In the tightening budgets that will mark the next several years, Steve Reid, the senior vp of Textron’s AAI says, “I think we have to be very careful that we remain sensitive to the price points that have been set, and expectations that have been set by our customers for the relative cost of the technology.” For AAI, which produces smaller UAVs, “it’s not ‘achieve this mission at any cost’ like say the Beast of Kandahar [the RQ-170 Sentinel], where it costs whatever it costs,” he explains. “We’re down in sort of the opposite side of that equation where we have to be concerned with the value.”

[buglerbilly]

MBDA Delivers the 500th Dual Mode Brimstone Missile

(Source: MBDA; issued Feb. 16, 2012)



The 500th Dual Mode Brimstone missile has been delivered by MBDA at its UK-based factory at Lostock, England. This unique air to surface missile has won many plaudits from the Royal Air Force for its ability to attack and destroy targets with precision in difficult urban environments with low collateral damage that no other air force was able to achieve during the Libyan conflict.

The British Minister for Defence Equipment, Support & Technology, Peter Luff was present at the production line with the UK Managing Director of MBDA Steve Wadey to thank the MBDA employees for their dedication during the Libyan campaign and for the example they set as the UK’s core complex weapons production facility.

Commenting on the performance of the MBDA team and this milestone, Minister Peter Luff said:

“I am glad that I have had the opportunity to come here and thank you all in person for your efforts in supporting the NATO operation during the conflict in Libya last year. Brimstone and Storm Shadow have a deserved reputation for accuracy and reliability and the use of these missiles alongside the RAF’s other air to surface weapons, was of real importance to the success of the operation to liberate the country. Throughout this time staff at MBDA provided exemplary support in ensuring that this capability was available for use at all times for which we and the people of Libya are very grateful.”

Executive Group Director Technical and MBDA UK Managing Director Steve Wadey said:

“Dual Mode Brimstone has been a real success story in showcasing the innovative capabilities that MBDA delivers to the front-line and we are delighted to be marking the 500th delivery of this weapon. We believe that this milestone highlights the continued success of Brimstone and the Minister’s visit is a welcome recognition of the contribution MBDA and its employees make to the Armed Forces and their operations.”

The operational demand for the weapon by the RAF was such that MBDA had to ‘surge’ supply to both Libyan and Afghanistan theatres of operation. MBDA’s Lostock production facilities achieved this by making deliveries four months earlier and with 50% greater throughput than was in pre-existing delivery plans. In addition, routine throughput of missiles returned back to the operational theatres saw deliveries three times more than was planned in the same timeframe.

BACKGROUND NOTES:

Dual Mode Brimstone has been used successfully against a variety of different targets in support of Operation ELLAMY and Operation HERRICK, providing precision effects combined with very well in excess of 90 per cent mission success. Key targets have included main battle tanks, armoured fighting vehicles, pick-up trucks with rocket launchers and coastal radar antenna.

Dual Mode Brimstone’s capabilities of precision attack with low collateral damage against manoeuvring or static targets thanks to a man-in-the-loop capability are unmatched by other weapons and has generated worldwide interest by other leading militaries. These unmatched features have created interest from various armed forces in applying the Dual Mode Brimstone to other platforms including a wide variety of ship vessels.

Dual Mode Brimstone is in-service on Tornado GR4/4A and is a candidate for integration on the RAF’s Eurofighter Typhoon and F-35 JCA aircraft.

There are 50 -75 employees across MBDA’s Lostock and Henlow sites working on delivering Dual Mode Brimstone with the ability to flex the workforce to align with demand. There are additional numbers of engineers working on the future developments of the Brimstone weapon at Stevenage.

With industrial facilities in four European countries and within the USA, in 2010 MBDA achieved a turnover of EUR 2.8 billion with an order book of EUR 10.8 billion. With more than 90 armed forces customers in the world, MBDA is a world leader in missiles and missile systems.

MBDA is the only group capable of designing and producing missiles and missile systems that correspond to the full range of current and future operational needs of the three armed forces (land, sea and air).

MBDA is jointly held by BAE Systems (37.5%), EADS (37.5%) and Finmeccanica (25%).

-ends-

[buglerbilly]

SGA2012: Raytheon completes JSOW ER test

14 February 2012 - 9:53 by Andrew White in Singapore



Raytheon announced the completion of the first test of the AGM-154 Joint Stand-Off Weapon (JSOW) Extended Range (ER) warhead at the Singapore Airshow on 14 February.

According to company officials, the test was carried out at Camden, Arkansas towards the end of last year. However, Raytheon has only just received clearance to comment on the tests. The latest evaluation comprised the detonation of the MAW warhead fuze, as used on board the Maverick munition.

This follows a 2009 propulsion test in the Pacific ocean which saw JSOW-ER complete its first 260nm flight. A threshold of 150nm was sought alongside an objective of 250nm. Raytheon sources said the next step would be to conduct a combined launch and warhead detonation test at a later date although they conceded this would be dependent upon funding. An extended capability for the system sees its range increased from the baseline JSOW C-1's 60nm-plus to the ER's 260nm.

However, Raytheon believes this could be increased to 300nm. Additional accuracy and moving maritime capability is achieved through networking of the weapon to an AESA radar, integrated onto a US Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet. AESA can also generate targeting information which it passes to the munition itself via Link 16. However, Raytheon was quick to assert that alternative targeting sources such as UAVs and fixed-wing ISTAR platforms could also do this.

The development of the ER variant saw Raytheon switch the original 500lb warhead with a 300lb version in order to integrate an additional engine and fuel bladder. According to Harry Schulte, VP Raytheon missile systems' air warfare systems, JSOW-ER’s design will enable aviators to attack land-based and moving maritime targets from outside the range of modern surface-to-air missiles.

'The test in Camden met all objectives and validated a Raytheon-funded analysis that showed the JSOW-ER’s proposed warhead and fuze are interoperable. Completion of the test set the stage for ground testing of a tactically-configured JSOW-ER in 2012,' Schulte added. Raytheon officials said the next stage of the internally funded programme would include risk reduction on the fuel system.

Beyond this, the company's strategy could incude switching producing from JSOW-C1 munitions to ER configurations should the US Navy desire such a capability. However, such a switch would also allow the weapon to retain its JSOW C-1 capability.

[ADMk2]

Sweet, I've often thought this could work out well for RAAF. Now we need to jump on-board with Raytheon and help fund it, licence manufacture it, all that good gear... This would provide a very useful combat capability enhancement for the Super Hornets at no real additional expense and be very useful on our JSF's given they will be able to carry 2x of these internally.

A 300nm standoff low-observable strike weapon capable of internal carriage on an LO aircraft...

Sounds good!

[buglerbilly]

Old Weapon Gives Precision Punch to Helos

Feb 21, 2012

By David Fulghum
Washington



What combat helicopters and unmanned aircraft in Afghanistan need in a hurry is an inexpensive, lightweight rocket that can be fired with enough accuracy to guide itself through a window-size target from outside the range of small-arms and light anti-aircraft fire.

The U.S. Navy believes it has the answer in a modified version of an unguided, Vietnam War-era rocket. The Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) II has already hit a basketball-size target at a range of 5 km (3 mi.).

BAE Systems intends to deliver the next batch of its low-rate-production APKWS directly to the U.S. Marine Corps for shipment to operational units. The first 325 missiles had completed delivery to the Navy in December, and the second lot of 600 will be dispatched in early fiscal 2012. With the end of operational testing in January, a full-rate-production decision for 1,000 missiles a year is expected to follow soon.

There is a rapid-deployment effort to arm the MQ-8B Fire Scout rotary-wing unmanned aerial system (UAS).

“APKWS is what we plan to put on [the MQ-8B] in the near future,” says Navy Capt. Brian Corey, program manager for the missile. “We expect that to be the Navy Department’s first armed UAS. We could put a three-tube launcher on each of the two stations on a Fire Scout for a total of six rounds. The number of rounds actually on board depends on what other payloads are carried and the length of the mission.”

A Joint Concept Technology Demonstration also is underway to equip fixed-wing aircraft with the missile, which is being modified to survive a tougher, high-speed environment in the Air Force/Marine Corps project. The initial goal is to install the weapon on AV-8B and A-10 ground attack aircraft. The first operational launch of the missile from a fixed-wing aircraft, a modified AT-6 Texan II trainer, was made in mid-January. The combination developmental and operational test was conducted at Eglin AFB, Fla., using a lengthened launcher to protect the mid-body sensor system from damage by the firing of adjacent missiles. The APKWS rocket is usually bundled seven to a launcher. The Eglin tests also are part of a program to increase the firepower of light helicopters and fixed-wing attack aircraft.

“The future of light attack is not 0.50-caliber machine guns and 500-pound bombs,” says Derek Hess, Hawker Beechcraft’s director of AT-6 development. “We’ve always been interested in deep-magazine, standoff-precision weapons with low collateral damage. Certainly laser-guided rockets are front and center in that capability.”

The Marines’ aim is to field *APKWS on the AH-1W and UH-1Y helicopters first. “Then we’d like to see it on the AH-1Z . . . for its first deployment,” says Marine Corps Lt. Col. Matt Sale, air-to-ground weapons requirement officer. “Depending on how long the legacy F/A-18s are going to be around, that could be the next logical step.”

Combat in Afghanistan is generating the pressing need for precise rapid-fire missile systems on Marine helicopters.

“What’s important to us is an appropriate target and weapons match,” says Lt. Col. Raymond Schreiner, lead H-1 test pilot for VX-31 at the China Lake, Calif., Naval Air Warfare Center. That means minimum collateral damage from small-yield precision weapons like the APKWS missile’s 10-lb., Mk. 151 and Mk. 152 warheads. Logistics also offer an advantage, since many 2.75-in. rockets and warheads are already in place in theater and only guidance sections have to be delivered.

“The capability that APKWS provides is well suited for current operations,” says Sale. “Marine Corps headquarters is confident of a fielding decision early in the year. With APKWS, you can increase the volume of precision fire by carrying 7-14 missiles on each aircraft. Depending on the success of the program in the next year or two, we’ll look at expanding envelopes and other material solutions.”

One idea is to adapt the package to the longer-range 5-in. Zuni rocket, which the Navy has in large numbers. However, it would be impossible for the larger rocket to be carried by UAS and helicopters in the same numbers.

As part of the APKWS’s operational testing, the missile was subjected to a number of variables including altitude, airspeed, range to target, laser code, lighting conditions, target type and movement. Evaluations involved a threshold range of 5 km and an objective range of 8 km.

“As far as operational availability, the current effort is integrated. Developmental and operational testers are working side-by-side and we are evaluating two aircraft simultaneously,” says Schreiner. “We’re minimizing the number of test resources required . . . that will answer both the developmental and operational requirements and minimize the schedule.”

The test program has yielded improvements including the ability to protect the missiles. The rocket pods have been extended to keep the mid-body guidance section out of the path of debris. Wing-slot seals have been added to keep particulate matter off the optics and protect them from blast damage.

“We worked with BAE about getting the wing-slot seals right,” says Corey. “That required a delicate engineering balance because we needed a seal that was affordable but rugged enough to protect the rocket and withstand the captive-carry environment on helicopters. Yet it needed to fracture to deploy the wings.”

The test results are promising.

“We had failures in testing, but when we put [the guidance units] on the flight line they worked. They’re accurate and hitting well within requirements. The aircrew—if the targeting system camera is good enough—can put this thing through a window.” Targets included pickup trucks, lightly armored vehicles, walls of various construction types, moving targets and simulated gun positions.

The Navy took over the APKWS program from the Army in 2008 to fill the gap between the service’s short-range airborne cannon and machine guns and Lockheed Martin’s long-range, high-precision Hellfire anti-armor missile carried by helicopters. Hellfires cost roughly $68,000 each and weigh 100 lb. In comparison, the mid-range APKWS has a 10-lb. warhead for low collateral damage, is estimated by non-BAE analysts to cost $10,000 per missile, weighs roughly 32 lb. and has the precision to go through a window 5 km away. Moreover, the weapon is a threat to moving targets since it has flaperons to make high-speed flight corrections.

During this initial phase, BAE Systems developed a simple guidance package that did not require communications with its launch aircraft.

“Any airplane that can shoot an unguided 2.75-inch rocket can shoot an APKWS,” Corey says. “The only thing required to launch it is a 28-volt fire signal from the airplane. All the precision takes place after the rocket is launched. No integration with the platform, no signal transfers, no software updates are required.”

Watch a video of APKWS in Fulghum's Ares post: Video: APKWS Goes to War

http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/blogs/defense/index.jsp?plckController=Blog&plckBlogPage=Blo gViewPost&newspaperUserId=27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7&plckPostId=Blog%3a27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post%3af1c2263a-e927-46bf-9cb8-b78c10784c02&plckScript=blogScript&plckEle mentId=blogDest

Photo: Jim Haseltine

[buglerbilly]

Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System Scores Successful First Time Demo on Fixed-Wing Aircraft in Record Time

(Source: BAE systems; issued Feb. 21, 2012)


A Hydra rocket fitted with the APKWS laser-guidance kit barely missed its laser spot target when fired by an AT-6C at a range of three miles, demonstrating high accuracy. (HBC photo)

NASHUA, N.H. --- The Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) recently achieved a first shot success from a fixed-wing aircraft, BAE Systems announced today.

The semi-active laser guided version of the U.S. military’s Hydra rocket successfully hit within inches of the center of its laser spot target after it was fired off a Hawker Beechcraft AT-6C from a range of three miles. This successful test, which BAE Systems accomplished in record time, highlights the potential of APKWS as a low-cost weapon system for reconnaissance and attack aircraft throughout the world.

“APKWS has proved itself to be precise, affordable, versatile, and lethal,” said Roy Rumbaugh, program manager for Missiles & Munitions Solutions at BAE Systems in Nashua, N.H., where the laser guidance section is built. “The user can plug and play with the existing components, and point and shoot this weapon system like a regular Hydra rocket.”

This APKWS flight test, which was held in late January at the Eglin AFB test range in Florida, demonstrated the “unpack and shoot” flexibility of the weapon system. During the testing, BAE Systems personnel were able to quickly convert unguided Hydras supplied by the U.S. Air Force into APKWS guided munitions and load them onto the aircraft. It took just three hours to assemble two test rounds, load them into the aircraft launchers, fly the mission, and complete the successful shot.

Immediately prior to the guided rocket shot, an unguided round in the same launcher was fired to demonstrate the robust APKWS advantage of its sealed, mid-body design to withstand the harsh, real-world environment of adjacent rocket firings.

“APKWS had never been integrated on this aircraft before. This independent test on the AT-6C was the first demonstration of the APKWS capability on a fixed-wing aircraft for the fixed-wing community,” Rumbaugh added.

In addition, BAE Systems is upgrading the APKWS design to operate in the expanded flight envelopes of high-performance Navy and Air Force aircraft under contract for the Fixed-Wing APKWS Joint Capability Technology Demonstration (JCTD) program.

The APKWS, the government’s only program of record for the semi-active laser-guided 2.75-inch rocket, has previously been concentrated in rotary-wing aircraft, including the AH-1W Cobra and the UH-1Y Huey. BAE Systems, which has been the APKWS prime contractor since 2006, also has demonstrated the APKWS capability on the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior, with positive results in both integration and demonstration tests.

-ends-

[buglerbilly]

Pressurized launcher boosts KC-130J Harvest HAWK capability


In February, the U.S. Marine Corps received the first KC-130J Harvest HAWK modified with a pressurized standoff, precision-guided munitions launcher called the Derringer door.

Feb 23, 2012

NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. – Saying it will give Marines on the ground greater agility, a Navy program manager praised the modified paratroop door on the KC-130J Harvest Hercules Airborne Weapons Kit, or Harvest HAWK.

In February, the fleet received its first Harvest HAWK modified with a pressurized, standoff precision precision-guided munitions launcher called the Derringer door.

The modified KC-130J paratroop door provides the capability to load, launch and reload standoff precision-guided munitions while the aircraft remains pressurized.

“Current tactics, techniques and procedures used by the fleet are severely limited by the time required for aircrew to go on oxygen, depressurize the aircraft and lower the cargo ramp prior to firing standoff precision guided munitions,” said Capt. Michelle Guidry, program manager, Tactical Airlift, Adversary and Support Aircraft program (PMA-207). “The Derringer door removes these steps from the firing process and provides the Marine Corps with greater tactical agility.”

Currently deployed Harvest HAWK equipped KC-130Js use a 10-round, common launch-tube system mounted on the cargo ramp. In this configuration, the aircraft must depressurize to employ Griffin missiles and the entire system must be removed to perform cargo operations.

“The Derringer door and storage rack do not interfere with the KC-130J cargo system and provide the fleet with greater flexibility to perform a wide range of missions,” said Chuck Gill, Harvest HAWK integrated product team lead for PMA-207.

Marine Aerial Refueling Transport Squadron (VMGR) 352 Harvest HAWK aircraft 167110 underwent modifications and flight testing for the Derringer door system in late 2011. Additional testing to support fleet use will take place in March 2012.

Changes to the aircraft for the Derringer door modification included the installation of two vertically oriented, standoff precision-guided munitions tubes, a common launch-tube storage rack for 10 standoff precision-guided munitions and battle-management system upgrades.

Harvest HAWK is a modular roll-on, roll-off weapons system, which also includes a fire-control console, in the aircraft’s cargo compartment, where fire-control officers monitor and control the weapons and surveillance systems; an AN/AAQ-30 target sight system with infrared and electro-optic sensors mounted in the left underwing fuel tank; a launcher for four Hellfire missiles mounted in place of the left-hand air-to-air refueling pylon; and the Derringer door system for a 10-shot Griffin standoff precision-guided munitions launcher.

“Like the rest of the Harvest HAWK weapon system, the fleet can very quickly install or remove the Derringer door and its weapons rack,” Gill said.

The first KC-130J Harvest HAWK kit deployed with VMGR-352 in October 2010.

The Marine Corps has accepted delivery of three kits and expects delivery of three additional kits in the first half of fiscal year 2013.

The KC-130J platform serves the U.S. Marine Corps by providing air-to-air refueling; cargo and troop transportation and airborne delivery; medical evacuation; and battlefield illumination. A KC-130J equipped with Harvest HAWK maintains the traditional KC-130 capabilities, while adding the capability to conduct intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance and air-to-ground close air support missions.

“When you’re in theater, time is everything,” Guidry said. “Our Harvest HAWK crews will now be able to provide close air support faster than ever, which gives the troops on the ground the added support they need.”

Future KC-130J Harvest HAWK designated aircraft will be able to receive modifications necessary for the Derringer door system to be used when needed.


Two KC-130J Hercules aircraft, assigned to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 352, stagger themselves during a refueling training exercise off the coast of Southern California.

PEO(A) Public Affairs
(301) 995-2774

[ADMk2]

Sweet. Now if we can only convince RAAF to convert several of it's Hercs to Harvest Hawk configuration we'll have an even more useful asset. The derringer door configuration doesn't even impact on the cargo carrying capability. Surely our troops could do with a few Hawk launched Griffins as a "force protection" measure?

I'm sure the RAAF wouldn't mind launching a few either...

[buglerbilly]

It's a very neat bit of design and kit..................and I agree with the RAAF sentiment............GRIFFIN is also on a developmental path to increase range and effect

[buglerbilly]

APKWS heading for Afghanistan

24 February 2012 - 17:03 by Tony Skinner in London, UK



The US Navy has completed operational testing of the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) and the weapon will soon be deployed with US Marine Corps (USMC) helicopter units in Afghanistan.

The system, which is currently in low-rate initial production (LRIP) with contractor BAE Systems, concluded initial operational test and evaluation (IOT&E) testing in January following more than 50 test firings from USMC AH-1W and UH-1Y helicopters to ranges out to 5km.

Director of BAE Systems’ precision guidance solutions group John Watkins confirmed that the company was currently delivering APKWS to the USMC for fielding with operational units.

To date, the company has completed manufacture of 325 APKWS units under the LRIP I contract and is currently half way through production of a second lot of 600.

‘In terms of full rate initial production, we have now submitted our proposals and we expect to be on contract within the next couple of months,’ Watkins said.

‘That depends on a couple of factors – the navy is looking for about 1000 missiles and there is also a lot of international interest so there will be options in the contract for that as well.’

To equip AH-1W and UH-1Y helicopters, the USMC is looking for 1,000 systems in FY12, and 2000 in FY13. However, these totals do not reflect the expected requirements for AH-1Z, Fire Scout, other platforms, or international FMS requests for APKWS, which allows the unguided Hydras rocket to be converted into semi-active laser guided munitions.

Watkins said the company had already had interest from ‘half a dozen’ international users of the Hydra rocket and was confident of an export contract by the end of the year.

In late January the company fired its first APKWS from a fixed-wing aircraft, successfully hitting a target 5km away from a Hawker Beechcraft AT-6C.

Watkins said that given the need for low-cost reconnaissance and attack aircraft around the world, the test was a good example of the system’s ‘unpack and shoot’ flexibility.

He also highlighted the advantage of the sealed, mid-body design, which sees the wing-mounted laser seeker collection optics protected from adjacent rocket firings.

‘The other systems that have been developed have the seeker in the nose and the blast effect from adjacent rockets in the pod damages that seeker. So every time you shoot one, you lose 10% of the capability. That was one of the factors that caused the government to go with APKWS.’

[buglerbilly]

Finland to purchase missile system for Hornet fighters

published yesterday Mar 1 02:39 PM, updated today Mar 2 06:05 AM


A Hornet F-18 fighter taking off.
mage: Ilmavoimat

Finland is to purchase long range cruise missiles from the United States for its Hornet fighters. The missiles will be acquired from Lockheed Martin with a total cost of almost 180 million euros.

According to a Defence Ministry statement, Finland’s armed forces will sign an agreement to purchase AGM-158 JASSM (Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile) for the country’s F-18 Hornet fighters.

Cash for the missiles has already been allocated in the defence budget.

The deal with a total value of 178.5 million euros also includes the necessary changes to the Hornet fighters as well as training and combat missiles, technical documentation and training.

The US Congress and Department of Defense approved the deal in November, paving the way for the acquisition of the missiles by the Finnish Defence Forces.

Minister: missiles will enhance defence capability

Defence Minister Stefan Wallin believes the missile deal for Finland’s F-18 Hornet fighters will enhance the capability of the country’s armed forces. In his view, the purchase will maximize the operating life of the fighters.

He rejected criticism that acquiring the missiles was irresponsible at a time when garrisons face closure.

YLE

[buglerbilly]

The US Navy has just released photos taken in January of an F/A-18F Super Hornet during captive carry flight tests of an AGM-88E Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile at Pax River.

[buglerbilly]

IAF Magazine Articles

Delilah's Secrets

This is the story of the Delilah, a sophisticated cruise missile developed in the State of Israel. For many years the Delilah was highly classified, one of the IDF's biggest secrets. Now, she reveals her secrets in the IAF Magazine.

Noam Ofir and Or Yaakov | Photography: Israel Military Industries





In the mid-eighties Israel Military Industries (IMI) revealed a new kind of weapon that had been a long time in the making: a UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) that was intended for launch from combat aircraft, rather than from the ground. It gave it the biblical name Delilah.

The new UAV's mission was also original. Unlike other UAVs that appeared at that time, most of which were manufactured in Israel, the Delilah was not intended to carry a camera and collect information on enemy troop moments. It was also not intended to return home when it had completed it's mission, it lacks a landing gear or skis. According to official publications, the aim of the Delilah was deception, to draw enemy anti-aircraft fire and thus clear the path for manned combat planes. The logic was clear: It's preferable to loose a Delilah UAV than to loose a combat craft and its crew.

However, after the Delilah was introduced 25 years ago, it did not seem like a success story. Its 'younger brother', IMI's "Samson" missile, was purchased in large quantities by the US Navy. Many improved versions of the "Samson" were also released, and the Delilah disappeared almost entirely. Closer to home, the "Samson" was used extensively in 1982 during Operation "Mole Cricket 19", in which the IAF successfully attacked and destroyed Syrian antiaircraft (AA) systems in Lebanon's Beqaa valley. The Delilah stayed out of the picture.

For years, foreign military journals who had followed the Delilah closely when it was first introduced by IMI hardly mentioned it at all. When they did mention it, it was in the context of the successful "Samson" system. The message was clear: the "Samson" was a success story, the Delilah was not.

However, in truth the disappearance of the Delilah was not an indication of failure, but rather a product of its success. Behind the scenes, far from the eyes of the media, the Delilah became one of the most advanced and sophisticated weapons systems developed in Israel. The UAV, initially presented as a vehicle for deception, successfully completed its mission. It did not deceive enemy antiaircraft systems, but did mislead everyone who was not in on the project's real secret. Today, we can reveal that the Delilah was never truly intended to serve simply as a decoy.

The fascinating story of the Delilah, revealed here for the first time, is the story of an idea born in the Israeli Air Force during the difficult period after the Yom Kippur War. An idea that, despite its ups and downs, resulted in an advanced cruise missile whose capabilities and performance may well be unmatched by any other weapons system. Some parts of the story remain classified to this day, but the details that we can reveal are enough to convince anyone, even if they aren't missile experts, that the Delilah is one of the most important weapons in the IDF's arsenal.

Turning Over Every Stone

As has been mentioned, the roots of the Delilah project are found in the second half of the seventies, in the days following the Yom Kippur War. During the war and the War of Attrition that followed, the Air Force felt the difficulty of coping against modern antiaircraft systems to its core. Despite the great efforts put into it, including new weapons systems and modus operandi, the Air Force continued to suffer difficult losses when it attempted to neutralize Egyptian and Syrian antiaircraft systems. As a result, it had to operate in a well-defended area. The result was many IAF aircraft brought down, and more than a few crews killed or taken prisoner. General Ezer Weizman put it best, in the expression that became famous: "The missile bent the plane's wing".

After the war, the IAF began a comprehensive project to find an answer to enemy AA capabilities. From the start, it was clear to everyone involved that there was no easy solution. There was no single method or small change in combat doctrine that would prevent the difficult outcomes of 1973 from returning if war with the Egyptians or Syrians resumed. The answer would need to include a mixture of new attack methods, including weapons, intelligence systems, command and control and combat doctrine. In short, what was required was comprehensive changes to the way that the IAF functioned and fought.

Other large organizations are afraid of change, but the Air Force understood that this was a change it needed to go through. The result was one of the largest projects the Air Force has ever undertaken. Sums that were huge then, and that would also be considered huge today, were invested in finding ways to cope with the AA threat. In addition to bearing the steep financial cost, the Air Force expressed willingness to examine any idea that could help solve the problem. The result was that during the second half of the seventies it tried out countless ideas, some of which seem ludicrous today, as part of its struggle to "turn over every stone" to find a solution. We should note that during that period the US also lacked a good solution to enemy AA equipment, and that they followed the Israeli efforts closely.

Decoy

As part of the search for a solution to enemy antiaircraft capabilities, the idea of developing a missile to act as a decoy was raised. The idea was not particularly original as the Americans had already developed missiles and UAVs that mislead AA systems by overloading their radar systems. The plan was simple: AA systems scanned the skies using radar to hunt for enemy aircraft. On detecting an aircraft they locked on to it, targeting it with missiles and their cannons. But what would happen if the enemy craft was a UAV? In this situation the AA system focused its radar on the UAV, allowing the manned fighter planes to approach in relative safety.

In order to fool the enemy, it was important that the decoy UAV would "appear" like a manned aircraft, not in the sense of how it looked, but rather how it would appear on the enemy's radar systems. Thus, the important factor was its flight profile, the speed and height of its flight. A UAV that did not fly in a path appropriate for a combat plane, for example by flying too slowly, would be identified as a decoy, and fail to draw the enemy's attention. Similarly, a UAV whose radar echo was too large or too small would also be identified as a decoy.

"During 1978 a small group in the aeronautic planning branch of the Air Force's equipment group were instructed to develop the decoy missile", recalls Moshe Sharoni, a former head of guided weaponry at one of IMI's factories. "The team, which started as group of five or six people, must have reached each peak with around 25 participants. The aim was to develop a missile that was launched from the ground and that could be used to fool enemy radar".

The project, nicknamed "High Heart", was a cruise missile with a jet engine that could mimic the characteristics of a fighter plane. "High Heart" was intended to be launched from the ground using a booster rocket that separated after the launch. After separation the missile's jet engine would kick in and carry it into enemy territory.

The "High Heart" project achieved technological maturity, explains Sharoni. "We launched a few prototypes of the missiles, including trials which demonstrated the rocket assisted launch, the separation of the booster and the missile itself, the activation of the jet engine and its continued flight".

However, despite the successful trials, two changes took place that brought about the premature termination of the project. First, the IAF realized that there was little logic in developing and manufacturing missiles itself. Though the IAF sets out the requirements of the systems, and will go on to receive and operate them, this does not mean that it must invest its human and financial resources in developing them itself. The "High Heart" is another example of a project internal to the Air Force that swelled to large proportions, before the decision was taken to transfer it to one of the companies in the defense industry.

The more significant change, however, was in the Air Force's operational thinking. In parallel to developing means to fool enemy AA systems, the Air Force invested in developing systems to attack them directly. As one of the IAF Commanders in Chief once put it: "The best electronic warfare is a one ton bomb". Rather than making do with fooling enemy AA systems, why not simply try and destroy them? It was here that the idea of "Stand Off" entered the picture.

Attacking the Battery

Like every weapons system, the AA system has a limited range. This range varies between a few kilometers and tens or even hundreds of kilometers. It's also important to distinguish between the maximum range the system's radar can detect a threat, and the maximum range over which is can launch its missiles, which is generally shorter. If you want to ensure that a plane survives, you need to keep it out of the AA's kill zone. In other words you should make sure that it can launch its weapons whilst it is still out of the enemy's range. In order to do this, you need longer range weapons than the enemy has, which can be guided from afar.

There are various ways to guide a weapon against an AA target. One popular method is to home in on the radar emissions given off by the AA system. The main problem with this method is that the enemy is wise to it, so many systems do not transmit continually, but only when they open fire. The early generations of radar emission-based homing missile had trouble adapting to AA systems that suddenly stop transmitting. They would approach the transmitting target, which would suddenly be switched off. As a result, on more than one occasion, the missiles missed their targets.

One of the solutions that was adopted was using electro-optic weaponry, with 'televisional guidance'. The missiles would transmit the images from an onboard camera, which would be used to navigate it remotely and allowed for very precise targeting. Though it did not rely on enemy radar emissions, this system also had its disadvantages.

Developing an Answer

Whilst trying to find a solution to the problem posed by enemy AA systems, the IAF equipped itself with different types of bombs and missiles. Some were purchased in the US, but a good number were developed in Israel.

The switch to relying on striking enemy AA systems reduced the importance of the "High Heart" project. "Our first thought was that it would be best simply to shut the project down", explained Sharoni. "But very quickly we understood that it would be a waste to abandon the unique development work that had already been done to create a decoy missile. Thus, as well as turning to the various arms manufacturers, we tried to come up with ways to leverage the knowledge and technology we'd already developed. Then came the best idea: why not take the decoy UAV we'd already developed, adjust it for launch from the air instead of from the ground, remove the parts intended to mislead the AA radar, equip it with a small warhead and use it to attack AA batteries from a distance of hundreds of kilometers?" Thus began the first stage of converting the "High Heart" from a decoy missile to an attack cruise missile.

A number of arms manufacturers examined the possibility of turning the idea of an anti-AA cruise missile into reality. In the end IMI took on the project, but not before many other manufacturers had turned it down. It's important to remember that this was no trivial matter. "High Heart" was a ground-launched decoy missile whose development was never completed. IMI needed to take everything that had been learnt during this project and turn it into a televisually guided long range cruise missile that could be launched from standard combat planes.

A not insignificant part of the team IMI put together to develop the missile was made up of former IAF personnel. In fact, many of those who had worked on developing "High Heart" were taken on by IMI and put to work directly on the program. The transfer of the project to IMI also did not end the Air Force's involvement in the project. Like many other projects, the cruise missile program was managed with the complete participation of the IAF.

Go Around

In terms of its structure, the Delilah is almost identical to a typical air-to-ground missile. The front section includes the homing parts, which in the first models were televisional. Thus, the head of the missile includes an antenna for general guidance towards its target. The next section holds the various electronic parts including guidance systems and flight control. The part behind this holds the warhead and fuel supply. The final section is made up of a jet engine capable of producing 165 pounds of thrust and the control surfaces that turn the missile towards its target.

Examining the technical data alone raises the question of why the Delilah is considered such an important missile. After all, there are missiles capable of flying further and faster and carrying warheads many times larger which are available on the global weapons market. The answer lies in the fact that the Delilah is seen more as a "loitering missile" than a cruise missile.

In general typical air-to-ground missiles are launched in the general direction of their target. A navigational system (such as GPS) takes them to the spot where intelligence indicates that the target lies. If the missile is autonomous ("fire and forget") then the plane that launched it can simply leave. The missile flies towards the target. When it identifies it, it strikes it with the help of its final guidance system. When the target is not where it is expected to be, the missile is simply written off. An example of this sort of weapon is the US Tomahawk missile, at least in its early models.

When a missile is fitted with an electro-optic guidance system, it broadcasts an image of what is in front of it, back to the aircraft that launched it. The image from the homing device is shown on a special screen in the cockpit, usually facing the navigator’s chair in a two-seater aircraft. The navigator can send the missile instructions, and make small changes in its flight path. However, these changes can only take pace during a relatively short period of time, and are comparatively minor. From the moment that the missile begins its final approach, no changes can be made. The result is that although he has some control, the navigator is actually very limited. If a missile approaches a target, which at the last minute turns out to be moving, or the wrong target altogether, then the missile misses. Thus, there have been many events like the one in Yugoslavia in 1999 when an electro-optic bomb launched from a US combat airplane was launched at a bridge. Seconds before impact, a passenger train reached the bridge and all the navigator could do was watch in horror, knowing that many civilians would be killed. It is here that the Delilah's unique ability enters the picture.

Come and Go

The Delilah's operation is similar to what is described above; it, too, possesses a "Man in the Loop" mechanism, where the navigator controls the final direction of the missile. However, in the case of the Delilah there's a key difference: as the missile makes the final approach, if the target has moved or if there's a need to cancel the attack (for example, if civilians are spotted near the target), all the navigator needs to do is press a button in the cockpit which instructs the missile to abort its approach and return to linger. Thus, situations in which a missile is wasted on a target that has disappeared, or in which civilians are accidentally killed can be prevented. In the same way the use of a missile on a target that has already been destroyed can be prevented, saving valuable ammunition.

This is not the only value in the Delilah missile's ability to linger. One can imagine a situation in which the target's precise location is not known with any certainty, for example if it is a portable anti-aircraft launcher or land-land missile launcher. In this case the Delilah can be launched in the general direction of the target, based on intelligence reports. The missile would fly in the direction of the target, all the while surveying the territory with its homing equipment. The image appears in the cockpit, the Delilah serving effectively as a homing UAV. The Delilah patrols above the territory searching for its target. The missile’s long range can be exchanged for a prolonged stay in the air above the target. When the navigator identifies the target, or what is thought to be the target, he instructs the missile to fly towards it. If he has identified it correctly then the missile is directed to attack it. If he has not found the target then the missile is instructed to abort its approach and return to searching.

The Delilah missile's ability to both loiter and carry out repeated passes makes it the ideal weapon for attacking mobile sites like rocket launches. Everyone recalls the difficulty the US Air Force faced during the 1992 Gulf War when it attempted to locate and destroy the Iraqi "Al-Hussein" rocket launcher that was used to fire at Israel and Saudi Arabia. The Americans knew roughly where the rockets were being launched from but had difficulty locating the launchers themselves. As a result fighter planes were sent for long patrols over western Iraq every night. On many occasions the Americans identified the point where the missile was launched from, but by the time a counter-strike had been arranged the missile launcher had left the scene. It's in these sorts of operational profile that the Delilah performs best, perhaps better than any other weapons system. In these cases the Delilah can be launched towards the area intelligence expects the missiles to be launched from. The Delilah will fly above the area and search for missile launchers. When a launcher is identified, it will be immediately struck by the missile. If it's discovered that the target has not been identified correctly, for example if it's a dummy launcher or another vehicle that looks like a launcher (such as a petrol tanker), the missile receives the instructions to end its approach and continue to search for the real target.

"The Delilah is a system that can strike very precisely at critical, sensitive points from a great distance", explains Brigadier General (reserve) Arieh Mizrachi, who was once CEO of IMI."If we want to attack a command bunker, for example, and we know where it is situated and exactly which window we need to hit then we can do it. We can always make another approach and place the missile exactly where we want it. The extreme precision of the missile makes it possible for us to paralyze the enemy by striking their critical point. For example, if we send the missile through a window of a division's control center, then no one will be left to give orders, and we'll have silenced the whole division. It's important to understand that the target does not need to be a large command center. The 'Delilah' lets us strike at the brain of the enemy, even if it's a small mobile target like a command armored personnel carrier. Similarly, we can strike at a ship's command center without needing to sink the whole ship. This holds true for many other kinds of target like airports, logistics centers and so on. The moment we identify the critical point, the Delilah lets us hit it".

One Size Fits All

The Delilah's first full trials, launched from one of the IAF's Phantoms, took place in the nineties. The planners came across a unique problem. How can a full-scale trial of a missile with a range of more than 250 kilometers take place in a small country like Israel? The fact that the only place the trail can be carried out without endangering population centers is the Negev Desert only adds to the problem.

"If you want to launch this kind of missile, and have it fly its full range, then, at least theoretically, you have to close half of the state", explains Sharoni. "What you do is choose a test area that is a few dozen kilometers by a few dozen kilometers in which the missile will fly without being a danger. During the trial, instead of flying in a straight line we squeezed the full range of the missile into this square, so that it flew a relatively large number of circuits inside the area before running out of fuel".

The trials proved that the Delilah could fulfill the operational requirements, and at the start of 1994 it began to enter operational service in the IAF.

Different generations of a weapon often receive different names. For example, the first two generations of Rafael's Shafrir air-to-air missile were known as the Shafrir 1 and 2, whereas the next three generations were known as the Python 3, 4 and 5. However, for Delilah missiles this is not the case. Primarily for security reasons, it was decided that all of the missiles in the Delilah family would have the same name, not even appended with a generation number. However, the Delilah which the Air Force received in the nineties is not the same that it receives today, despite the fact that their external appearance is almost identical. The differences between different models of the Delilah are in fact so fundamental that they can be seen as totally different kinds of missile, despite their shared name. Thus, IMI help the IAF distinguish between the different models by marking the production number. For example, the missiles marked "block 30", "block 40" and so on.

For obvious reasons we cannot go into the details of the differences between the various generations of Delilah missile, but we can say that they were adapted for delivery by different aircraft. Whilst the missile was originally fitted for launch by the Phantom, it has since also been fitted to, amongst others, the Super Phantom, the F-16C/D and the F-16I.

A Navigator's Dream

"The training needed to operate the Delilah lasts a few months, and because of its complex capabilities, not everyone successfully completes it", explains First Lieutenant A., an F-16D navigator in the "Scorpion" Squadron who is trained on the Delilah. "The training process is long, complex and challenging. You start with simple scenarios, hitting a large target in open space, and advance to small targets that are located in densely populated areas".

“Despite the intense cooperation between the pilot and the navigator, the fact remains that the missile is operated from the navigator's cockpit. In the first stage you launch the missile and it flies towards the target you've given it. Later in the flight, you take control of the missile and direct it wherever you want. If you need to, you can press a button and the missile will loiter. The role of the pilot is to tell me when I've reach the point where I need to tell the missile to fly, and I can no longer tell it to continue to loiter".

"Even though you are not physically in the same place as the missile, and in fact are far away, the whole time you feel that you are part of it. The fact that you can fly the missile wherever you want, whilst you yourself fly to an area that is not under threat, gives you safety".

The publicity material produced by arms manufacturers tend to exaggerate, describing their weapons systems as "the best of its kind in the world!", so you need to approach them with caution. Whoever wants good evidence of the capabilities of a weapons system should ask those who train on it and who would need to operate it in real combat situations. In the case of the Delilah, the complements paid to the missile from its users are greater than those that appear in the IMI promotional brochures.

"During Pilots Course you start on the Piper, transfer to the Fouga Magister and continue to the A-4 Skyhawk. Whichever plane you are flying, you can always say 'this aspect could have been done better'. This remains the case when you transfer to the F-16", explains First Lieutenant A. "But when you begin to fly the Delilah, you just can't say it. No matter how hard they try, there is just no way to make any aspect of this weapon better or smarter. It's simply perfect. It's a challenge that's a lot of fun to cope with. It's not without reason that the tile on the first slide you see on the Delilah training course is 'Every Navigator's Fantasy'. Honestly, it's the most amazing weapon in the Air Force today".

[buglerbilly]

A-Darter Development Nearing Completion

January Flight Tests Prove Successful

08:55 GMT, March 7, 2012 The A-Darter 5th generation short range air-to-air missile, designed to meet the challenges of future air combat, reached another milestone following a successful series of guided launches in January 2012. The joint missile programme between South Africa and Brazil is in its fifth year of development, and only a hand-full of countries in the world are capable of developing missiles in this class.

“We successfully executed the air launched guided missile firings from the South African SAAB Gripen Fighter platform at the local Overberg Test Range,” said Deon Olivier, Business Development Manager for Air-to-Air missiles. “These launches were completed against (amongst others) the Denel Dynamics high speed SKUA aerial target drone which is designed for high subsonic missile testing and evaluation.”

The programme has now entered its qualification phase, and is well on its way to completion by 2013, with the ultimate goal of being production ready by the end of 2013. The initial fighter aircraft for integration are the Hawk and Gripen for the South African Air Force, and the F-5M for the Brazilian Air Force. It is likely that A-Darter will enter into operational service for the two nations by 2014.

The relationship with the Brazilian Air Force and Brazilian Industry on the Development Programme has strengthened the ties between the two countries and may lead to more cooperation opportunities. “There are also significant export opportunities for this product into further markets, particularly with A-Darter’s aircraft integration flexibility across platforms,” said Olivier.

HISTORIC MOMENT

The A-Darter was successfully launched in-flight from a Gripen fighter jet for the first time on 17 June 2010. This led to all subsequent firings taking place with clearance for the full carriage and firing envelopes of the Gripen. It ultimately resulted in a successful clearance programme - commended by SAAB as well as South African certification authorities.

Denel Dynamics is an exhibitor at Defence and Security Asia 2012, Thailand. On display will be the new Seeker 400 which is scheduled to take its maiden flight this year. Another product is the 5th generation air-to-air missile, A-Darter, due for production in 2013.

[buglerbilly]

China, U.S. Chase Air-to-Air Cyberweapon

Mar 9, 2012

By David A. Fulghum davef@aviationweek.com
WASHINGTON



The U.S. Air Force is developing network weapons to attack aircraft.

Electronic warfare specialists know the technology is already a double-edged sword, however. The Chinese, a senior service official says, are already working hard on, and in some cases fielding, similar systems to attack high-value aircraft used for early warning, electronic surveillance, command & control, and intelligence.

The Air Force is pursuing “cyber-methods to defeat aircraft,” Gen. Norton Schwartz, the service’s chief of staff, told attendees at the 2012 Credit Suisse and McAleese Associates Defense Programs conference in Washington March 8. But Lt. Gen. Herbert Carlisle, the deputy chief of staff for operations, says the same threat to U.S. aircraft already is “out there.”

Ashton Carter, deputy secretary of defense, is pushing both offensive and defensive network-attack skills and technology. “I’m not remotely satisfied” with the Pentagon’s cyber-capabilities, Carter says.

“The Russians and the Chinese have designed specific electronic warfare platforms to go after all our high-value assets,” Carlisle says. “Electronic attack can be the method of penetrating a system to implant viruses. You’ve got to find a way into the workings of that [target] system, and generally that’s through some sort of emitted signal.”

The Chinese have electronic attack means — both ground-based and aircraft-mounted — specifically designed to attack E-3 AWACS, E-8 Joint Stars and P-8 maritime patrol aircraft, he says.

Schwartz revealed no other details, but several years ago the service tested the “Suter” system, which used a data stream filled with algorithms to invade an integrated air defense (IAD) system through its antennas. The data-stream, generated by an EC-130 Compass Call electronic-attack aircraft, was able to capture the enemy network’s radar pictures, take over the network as system administrator and tap into dispersed missile launchers through their wireless communication links. Changes to or effects on the output of the enemy IAD system were monitored by an RC-135 Rivet Joint signals-intelligence aircraft.

A fielded version of the system was used by Compass Call aircraft in Iraq and Afghanistan to tap into wireless telephone systems used to control improvised explosive devices. However the EC-130 is a large, slow aircraft that does not fly at high altitudes, making it vulnerable to anti-aircraft guns and missile fire. So the task has become engineering a network invasion device small enough to fit into a stealthy aircraft — manned or unmanned, strike or reconnaissance — that can penetrate to a useful tactical range to attack enemy electronics and networks.

New U.S. aircraft like the F-22, F-35, EA-18G and F/A-18E/F now carry new, long-range, active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars that are being considered as part of an electronic-attack/network-invasion capability. However, different versions of the AESA arrays are being tailored to better fit the cyber/electronic attack mission. Some will go on unmanned designs like Boeing’s Champ cruise missile, Raytheon’s MALD-J jamming missile and a line of Mk.-82 bomb shapes to carry out the electronic attack role. Other designs will be tailored for the Suter-like, network-invasion task.

Ironically, the AESA arrays that make the new radars and electronic attack systems so formidable in range and power output also are major targets themselves for electronic attack. “From a cyber [attack] standpoint, AESA has introduced new vulnerabilities,” a veteran electronic attack specialist says. “They have a continual wide field of view that can be exploited.”

Such new weaponry would be a boon to the Air Force if it were thrown into a campaign against Syria. “Syria has a much more demanding air defense environment” than Libya, for example, Schwartz says. “We’re watching Syria closely” as well as other places where governments are showing “erratic behavior,” he says.

Boeing illustration of Champ missile

[buglerbilly]

Israel Unveils New Bunker Buster

Hones ‘Credible’ Military Option for Iran

Mar. 11, 2012 - 12:55PM

By BARBARA OPALL-ROME


The MPR-500, built by Israel Military Industries, can penetrate double-reinforced concrete walls or floors without breaking apart. (Israel Military Industries)

TEL AVIV — Israel last week unveiled an improved precision, bunker-burrowing weapon, the latest in a series of operational upgrades aimed at honing what one official here labeled “a very credible military option” against the Iranian nuclear threat.

Built by state-owned Israel Military Industries (IMI), the 500-pound MPR-500 is an electro-optical or laser-guided projectile that can penetrate double-reinforced concrete walls or floors without breaking apart. It is designed as an upgrade to the U.S. Mk82, thousands of which are in Israel Air Force stocks, and can use Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) kits or Paveway for guidance.

In an operational test video released March 6, the MPR-500 is seen penetrating four reinforced concrete walls, with fragmentation from the explosion limited to a radius of less than three meters.

“The lethality, precision ... and relatively low weight enables its use against multiple targets in a single pass; an element that increases the operational effectiveness of attack,” according to IMI.

The MPR-500 bridges an operational gap between the 250-pound U.S. GBU-39 small-diameter bomb — 1,000 of which were approved for sale to Israel — and the 5,000-pound GBU-28.

In parallel, the Air Force is planning to enlarge its Boeing 707-based aerial refueling tanker fleet.

Once deployed, the expanded tanker fleet will be capable of providing nearly 2 million pounds of fuel, allowing dozens of Israeli F-15 and F-16 fighters to carry more weapons for long-range strategic bombing missions.

The Israeli daily Ma’ariv newspaper reported March 8 that Washington had offered to augment Israel’s aerial refueling and limited bunker-busting capabilities on condition that Israel refrain from waging an independent attack on Iran this year. An Israeli security source denied that report, insisting there was no “quid pro quo” linkage between the timing of future Israeli operations and additional capabilities that may be forthcoming from Washington.

A U.S. government source confirmed that additional GBU-28s were a subject of bilateral talks. However, he insisted that beyond the 100 GBU-28s authorized for Israel in 2005 and another 50 approved in 2007, there have been no new notifications to Congress regarding potential sales.

Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz, Israel Defense Forces chief of staff, is expected to discuss options for enhancing Israel’s so-called qualitative military edge in meetings with U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, scheduled next week in Washington.

Very Credible Option

Despite continued disagreement in Israel about the need for near-term unilateral action against Iran, the security official here insisted that Israel will have “a very credible option” should Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu order such an attack.

“If we have to act militarily, we will do so well beyond expectations in Washington and especially in Tehran,” the official here said.

Speaking in Washington March 6, Netanyahu evoked analogies from the Holocaust when he told a gathering of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC): “Never again will we not be masters of the fate of our very survival. Never again. That is why Israel must always have the ability to defend itself, by itself, against any threat.”

In an interview after respective AIPAC addresses by Netanyahu and U.S. President Barack Obama, the Israeli security official praised Obama’s firm determination to act, militarily if necessary, to prevent a nuclear Iran. He also hailed Obama’s affirmation of Israel’s sovereign right to act in its self-defense.

But the official cited the differing sense of urgency driving potential operational timelines in Washington and Tel Aviv.

“The Americans want to wait until they have evidence of Iran’s decision to assemble a bomb. But we say that’s part of Iran’s strategy. We say Iran will continue to enrich uranium, harden its facilities and add redundancies that will allow it to break out or sneak out with nuclear weaponization,” the official said.

He added, “At that time, for us at least, it will be too late.”

In a March 6 White House press conference, Obama insisted sanctions against Iran were starting to have an effect.

“And so this notion that somehow we have a choice to make in the next week or two weeks, or month or two months, is not borne out by the facts,” he said.

However, Obama also said, “Israel is a sovereign nation that has to make its own decisions about how best to preserve its security. And as I said over the last several days, I am deeply mindful of the historical precedents that weigh on any prime minister of Israel when they think about the potential threats to Israel and the Jewish homeland.”

In a closed briefing at the Institute for National Security Studies here, a former senior defense official said both countries would act according to their essential interests.

“At the end of the day, there is an understanding in both leaderships that there is a point where you go by yourself,” the former official said.

He also described Israel’s military option as credible, adding, “Just to remind you that the Israelis surprised the world in the past with capabilities that nobody [knew] that they could do.”

In 1981, Israel attacked Iraq’s nuclear reactor and in 2007 is widely believed to have destroyed a suspected nuclear site in Syria.

Retired Lt. Gen. Dan Halutz, former Israel Defense Forces chief of staff, is among several leading security experts here disputing Netanyahu’s view that Iran is a threat to Israel’s existence.

“Terminology is important,” Halutz told participants at last month’s annual Herzliya Conference. “Iran is a severe threat; not an existential threat ... and one shouldn’t use this as an excuse to attack Iran.”

According to Halutz, a normally passionate advocate for strategic air power, “The military option should be last, and it should be led by others.”

He added, “We need to squeeze every last drop out of other ways before entertaining military options.”

[buglerbilly]

MBDA reveals Brimstone 2 missile work for UK

By: Craig Hoyle London

7 hours ago

Source:

The UK is to introduce a further enhancement to its MBDA Brimstone air-to-surface missile in late 2013, to build on the success of the design's use in Afghanistan and Libya.

First fielded in late 2008 under an urgent operational requirement (UOR) deal, the company's current dual mode seeker-equipped (DMS) Brimstone has accuracy and reliability rates both above 90%, "which makes it the most reliable weapon available to the Royal Air Force", the UK's Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) organisation says in its official magazine, Desider.

Previously integrated with the UK's now-retired BAE Systems Harrier GR7/9s, the 50kg (110lb) design is now used by the RAF's Panavia Tornado GR4 strike aircraft in Afghanistan. The semi-active laser and millimetre-wave radar guided type was also used by Tornado crews during last year's NATO-led operation, Unified Protector, in Libya to conduct precision attacks with minimal risk of causing collateral damage.


© Cpl Babbs Robinson/Crown Copyright

Work to develop the current missile from a UOR system into the RAF's core weapons inventory as the Brimstone 2 is being conducted under the Ministry of Defence's Spear Capability 2 Block 1 programme.

"Brimstone 2 delivers an improved version of the DMS Brimstone weapon, which incorporates an improved seeker, along with updated explosive components," DE&S says. According to MBDA, this work will "introduce an insensitive munition [IM] rocket motor and warhead, and other improvements to airframe and software".

Marketing material previously published by the company also claims that the Spear Capability 2 work will deliver "an overall increase in performance with improvements in range and engagement footprint".

Although the new missile will be all but identical externally to the current type, MBDA says its use of a more modular design allowing easier access to key components will also make any maintenance or repair activities more straightforward.

"Work continues with MBDA to confirm the size and value of the production order for Brimstone 2, which is currently scheduled to replace DMS Brimstone in 2013," DE&S says.

MBDA recently delivered its 500th DMS Brimstone to the RAF, with DE&S revealing that more than 200 of these have been fired to date. The service now has a "robust stockpile" of the weapon to support its operations in Afghanistan, the procurement body says.

RAF Tornado GR4s typically fly with a single pack of three rail-launched DMS Brimstones as part of a mixed payload also including two Raytheon Systems Paveway IV 226kg precision-guided bombs and a Rafael Litening III reconnaissance pod.

MBDA says potential export customers could buy either the DMS Brimstone or Brimstone 2 design, with both offered for integration with fast jet platforms, attack helicopters and unmanned air vehicles.

[buglerbilly]

Director General of DCTA Inspects Project A-Darter (missile) in South Africa

(Source: Brazilian air force; issued March 13, 2012)

(Issued in Portuguese only; unofficial translation by efense-aerospace.com)

Monitoring the progress of the Project A-Darter (missile), with visits to the Group for Monitoring and Control in South Africa (GAC-AFS) and to Denel group companies, and signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), were the main purpose of the mission to South Africa by the Director-General of the DCTA, Lieutenant-Brigadier-Air Ailton dos Santos Pohlmann. He was accompanied by the Chief Technical Sub-department DCTA, Brig Golfetto Wander Almodovar, and the Head of the IAE Sub-directorate on Defence, Lieutenant-Colonel Franchitto Marcelo, from March 5 to March 9.

Among its many activities, the delegation had the opportunity to meet the staff of the GAC-AFS, a DCTA agency subordinated to the Coordinating Committee of the Combat Aircraft Program (COPAC) whose mission is to support the contract management and technical advice for activities related to the technology transfer contract between the Air Force Command and the South African company Denel Dynamics.

The delegation also participated in meetings with GAC-AFS staff, with general officers and representatives of the Armament Corporation of South Africa (Armscor), the body responsible for the procurement of defense equipment for the Ministry of Defence of South Africa, and the Air Force Directorate Acquisition (DAFA), part of the defense ministry’s acquisition organisation.

The Brazilian delegation was briefed on the methodology of project management, on procurement of defense materials and on the life-cycle process for military equipment used by the Ministry of Defence of South Africa.

During visits to the premises of Denel Dynamics, the delegation met with Brazilian engineers from the Air Force Command and from the firms Mectron, Avibrás and Opto Electronics, which working in partnership with Denel Dynamics on the development of the A-Darter missiles technology transfer activities.

Finally, the delegation also visited the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), where an important Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the CSIR and the DCTA, which calls for a closer relationship between researchers of both institutions in research projects of common interest.

The A-Darter is a fifth-generation, short range air-to-air missile with infrared imaging guidance, high maneuverability. Its seeker has a field of view of 180 degrees, it can lock onto its target before or after launch, its target can be designated by the aircraft’s radar or pilot’s helmet sight, and it is fitted with electronic counter-countermeasures.

The Brazilian Air Force Command signed the missile’s development contract with Armscor in 2006. It provides for the participation of engineers from the Brazilian air force various Brazilian companies (Avibras, Mectron and Opto Electronics).

The optimal interaction between engineers from Brazil and South Africa is a key factor for successful completion of the development of this project, which faced many technological challenges, expected in late 2013.

During the visit, the head of DCTA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with CSIR, a document that institutes a closer relationship between researchers of both institutions in research projects of common interests.

The main areas of research in cooperation covered are:

- Infrared measurements and modelling;
- Measurements of infrared signature and applications;
- Training, workshops and academic courses;
- Calibration of sensors for use in flight test;
- Training in satellite sensor calibration;
- Methodology for the spectral signature measurements and standardization;
- Training in Geographic Information Systems (GIS);
- Cooperation in the calibration and validation of reference targets;
- Processing hyperspectral and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and
- Aero-elastic analysis.

-ends-

[buglerbilly]

Marine Aviators Complete Operational Test and Evaluation of Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System

(Source: BAE Systems; issued March 15, 2012)

YUMA, Ariz. --- Aviators from the U.S. Marine Corps completed the Initial Operational Test and Evaluation phase of the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) program, firing rounds against stationary and moving targets.

The APKWS – the U.S. government’s only program of record for the semi-active laser-guided 2.75-inch rocket – is expected to be operational in Afghanistan in March.

In the final series of test shots, the laser-guided rockets were fired from a variety of distances from Marine AH-1W and UH-1Y helicopters in scenarios that are expected to be encountered in theater.

“APKWS is a highly effective and affordable weapon that will allow aviators to complete their missions while minimizing the risk of harm to allies and non-combatants,” said Captain Brian Corey, program manager, PMA-242. “We are looking forward to bringing APKWS forward to our Marines in combat.”

The APKWS is a low-cost, low-yield weapon alternative to other air-launched munitions currently in the inventory. The system transforms a standard 2.75-inch unguided rocket into a smart, highly precise laser-guided missile that is effective against soft and lightly armored targets while causing minimal collateral damage.

“APKWS has successfully completed more than 80 shots in the past few months,” said John Watkins, director of Missile & Munitions Solutions for BAE Systems in Nashua, New Hampshire, where the mid-body guidance section is built. “This testing is the culmination of a highly successful development effort among BAE Systems, our partners and suppliers, and the U.S. government. These shots demonstrate that APKWS will make a difference in allowing aviators to do their jobs and come home safely."

The APKWS is an “unpack and shoot” system, Watkins said. Because it uses standard rocket launchers, APKWS requires no platform integration or aircraft modifications, and because it is loaded and fired just like a standard 2.75-inch rocket, very little aviator or ordnance crew training is required. Its design enables the use of existing warheads, fuzes, and rocket motors that currently exist in the inventory.

The APKWS has been demonstrated off Marine AH-1W and UH-1Y helos as well as Army Kiowa and light fixed-wing attack aircraft. It can be fired from any rotary-wing aircraft that can launch 2.75-inch rockets, to include the UH-1 Huey and AH-64 Apache. The Navy is also looking to integrate the APKWS – in cooperation with the U.S. Air Force – on fixed-wing AV-8B and A-10 aircraft, as well as the Fire Scout UAS.

The Navy assumed acquisition executive oversight of the program in 2008 and has fully funded it for production. BAE Systems has achieved its monthly delivery rate and more than 400 production systems have been accepted into the Navy inventory under the designation WGU-59/B. BAE Systems has been the APKWS prime contractor since 2006.

-ends-

[buglerbilly]

Raytheon To Replenish U.K. Supply of Precision Guided Bombs

Mar. 16, 2012 - 09:48AM

By ANDREW CHUTER

LONDON — Stocks of Royal Air Force Paveway IV precision guided bombs are being replenished in a 60 million pound ($94.8 million) deal with the weapons developer Raytheon Systems.

The weapon was used by the RAF on its Panavia Tornado GR4 strike aircraft during the recent mission against Moammar Gaddhafi’s regime in Libya. It is also fitted on British jets deployed in Afghanistan.

The Ministry of Defence made the decision to award the contract in late December but only signed the deal this year.

The latest version of the family of weapons, Paveway IV was developed specifically for the U.K. It is fitted with the Mk82 500lb warhead and has GPS and laser guidance systems.

The U.K. continues to use earlier versions of the Paveway family on Tornado and Eurofighter Typhoon jets.

The contract is the second missile replenishment deal struck by the MoD as a result of the Libyan conflict.

Last August the MoD announced it had contracted with Raytheon rival MBDA to replenish stocks of its Dual Mode Brimstone missile. The MoD had previously replenished stocks of the multirole close-air support weapon in December 2010.

NATO was widely criticized because air-launched weapon stocks ran low among some air forces during the Libyan campaign.

A spokeswomen for the MoD said the cost of British weapons replenishment in the wake of the Libyan was announced in October at 140 million pounds, including the Paveway IV deal.

[buglerbilly]

Humidity blamed for split U.S.-made missile radomes in Taiwan

2012/03/19 18:01:53



Taipei, March 19 (CNA) Taiwan's wet climate has been identified as the main cause of splits in the radomes of some of the U.S.-made missiles used by Taiwan's F-16 fighter jets, the Air Force said Monday.

In a statement, the Air Force said it has followed U.S. suggestions for improved measures for storing its AIM-120 medium-range air-to-air missiles in a condition that will reduce the influence of moisture on the radomes.

The statement came after a local newspaper reported earlier in the day that automatic breakdowns have been occurring in some radomes equipped on the AIM-120 missiles for three consecutive years.

The Air Force said it has asked the United States to help deal with the split radomes, adding that the situation has not undermined Taiwan's defense capabilities.

Radomes are used to protect the radar equipment on the missiles. Taiwan has purchased 200 AIM-120 missiles from the U.S., the most advanced medium-range missiles used in Taiwan.

(By Elaine Hou)
ENDITEM/J

[buglerbilly]

Russian Air Force Adopts New Cruise Missile

16:32 20/03/2012MOSCOW, March 20 (RIA Novosti, Alexander Stelliferovsky)

A new cruise missile has entered service with the Russian Air Force’s strategic long-range arms division, Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov said on Tuesday.

He did not provide any details, only saying it was an air-launched long range missile.

AF chief Col Gen Alexander Zelin previously said the new cruise missile was developed by the Taktitcheskoye Raketnoye Vooruzhenie (Tactical Missile) defense corporation and that its specifications were secret. He said the new missiles would also be installed in fifth-generation fighters.

Douglas Barrie, an air warfare analyst at the London-based International Institute of Strategic Studies, said the new weapon was likely to be “either the Kh-555 or Kh-101/102.”

The Kh-555 is a new conventionally-armed variant of the Kh-55 nuclear-armed cruise missile, which has been in service since the 1984 on Tu-95 and Tu-160 bombers.

Kh-101 is a stealthy nuclear armed cruise-missile under development by the Raduga design bureau, along with a conventionally-armed variant (Kh-102). Globalsecurity.org claims the weapon was test-fired in October 1998. Some reports claim the weapon is itself a derivative of Kh-555.

Serdyukov also said Russia’s fleet of Tu-160 Blackjack and Tu-95MS Bear strategic bombers will be modernized.

Defense Ministry spokesman Vladimir Drik earlier said the AF’s strategic long-range arms division will receive more than 10 modernized Tu-160M Blackjack bombers by 2020.

The new bombers will be adapted to carry advanced cruise missiles and bombs.

Zelin said in January the AF will soon deploy an advanced tactical air-to-air missile that will greatly enhance its operational effectiveness. The missile will be carried by MiG-31BM Foxhound supersonic interceptors/fighters and will subsequently be used by other warplanes.

Zelin did not identify the missile but experts believe it could be the K-37M, also known as RVV-BD, or AA-X-13 Arrow as it is known to NATO.

The K-prefix denotes a weapon in development while the M indicates a modification. An export variant of the weapon, known as RVV-BD, was shown at MAKS 2011. The BD suffix may stand for the Russian words bolshoi dalnosti, or long range.

[buglerbilly]

UPDATE 1-US Air Force withholds funds from Raytheon missile

Tue Mar 20, 2012 8:22pm EDT

* Air Force says problems linked to ATK solid rocket motors

* Raytheon is 193 missile deliveries behind schedule

* Company working with Norwegian firm on alternate motor

WASHINGTON, March 20 (Reuters) - The U.S. Air Force said on Tuesday it was withholding $621 million in payments from Raytheon Co until the company speeds up deliveries of an advanced U.S. air-to-air missile it is building for the Air Force and the Navy.

Air Force spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Wesley Miller said the government had suspended $419 million in payments from fiscal 2010 funds to Raytheon, effective Feb. 3, on top of $202 million already withheld from fiscal years 2007 to 2009.

Miller said the Air Force believed the move would spur Raytheon to get the program back on track. He said Raytheon had delivered 359 missiles to date, 193 fewer missiles than the 552 required by the contract.

He said payments to Raytheon would resume once it began consistent deliveries of working missiles and said the government was working with the company to resolve the issue.

Miller said the slow missile deliveries stemmed from issues with the work of subcontractor Alliant Techsystems on the solid rocket motors that power the missiles.

But he said the slow missile deliveries were not having any impact on the U.S. military's ability to fight, since the new missiles have not yet been fielded.

Raytheon is building the newest version of the Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile, which are to be used by Air Force fighter jets and Navy planes that fly off carriers.

Raytheon had no immediate comment on the issue. ATK could not be reached for comment.

Last summer, Raytheon said it was working with the Norwegian defense company NAMMO to qualify an alternate rocket engine for the AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile, or AMRAAM.

That motor would be interchangeable with the current one built by ATK and would provide the same performance, it said at the time, noting that having a second source for the motors would allow Raytheon to meet its commitment to the U.S. military and other countries that are buying the new missile.

[buglerbilly]

Ares

A Defense Technology Blog

France Still Mulling Dual-Mode Brimstone

Posted by Robert Wall at 3/20/2012 7:31 AM CDT

The fact that integration on Rafale opens up the possibility of Indian sales must be a factor too............

The French military is still exploring whether to acquire the MBDA Dual-Mode Brimstone (DMB) used heavily by the Royal Air Force during last year's Libya air war.

DMB is only one of several options being considered, though. The interest is driven mainly by the low-collateral-damage nature of the weapon, says MBDA CEO Antoine Bouvier.

A French program would be developed for the air force, with the service undertaking a study examining other options. The French navy so far has not shown interest.

If France goes ahead with the program, the U.K. weapon could be integrated on Rafale before the Eurofighter Typhoon. The U.K. has yet to fund integration of DMB on Typhoon; the weapon is currently used on Tornado GR4s.

[buglerbilly]

MBDA clears Spear 3 missile reviews

By: Craig Hoyle London

8 hours ago

Source:

MBDA has confirmed it has passed two significant milestones in a programme to develop a new precision-guided weapon for internal carriage by the UK's future fleet of Lockheed Martin F-35 combat aircraft.

Dubbed Spear Capability 3, the product cleared both its critical design review and system design review with the UK Ministry of Defence in 2011, says MBDA UK managing director and executive group director technical Steve Wadey.

"We're now focused on the final two years to conclude the assessment phase, which, in 2013 and early 2014, will include subsystem and first flight trials of that weapon," he says. MBDA plans to disclose further details of its activities on the project at July's Farnborough air show.

The UK MoD earlier this month detailed its plans to field a Spear Capability 2 Block 1 weapon system from late 2013, with the enhanced Brimstone 2 air-to-surface missile to equip Royal Air Force Panavia Tornado GR4s. The weapon is an evolution of the dual-mode seeker-equipped Brimstone used by the service in Afghanistan and in last year's Libya campaign. It has also attracted interest from the US Air Force and a number of other potential customers.

"The USAF wanted to know a lot more about the capability of the product and the programme, and where the forward-investment plans are for Brimstone as a family," Wadey says.

Separately, MBDA will also showcase the results of its latest "Concept Visions" campaign at the Farnborough show. The internal study activity is looking at possible air-launched weapons technologies to be used in arming unmanned air systems between now and 2030.

[buglerbilly]

Norway on target with Joint Strike Missile plans

By: Craig Hoyle London

9 hours ago

Source:

Norway is continuing its development work on a new anti-ship missile that is expected to arm its future fleet of Lockheed Martin F-35As.

Oslo's new defence White Paper outlines a plan to introduce a ship-launched Naval Strike Missile in the 2013-2016 period. This will provide the basis for an air-launched Joint Strike Missile (JSM), which will be suitable for carriage within the F-35's internal weapons bays.

Kongsberg is leading development work on both weapons, with the company and the Norwegian defence ministry having lobbied Lockheed to include integration of the JSM as part of a future Block 4 software update to the F-35.


© Kongsberg

"JSM is expected to complete development in 2018, and Norway is cooperating closely with the US government through a bilateral working group, mandated to explore the possibilities for JSM integration on the F-35 as a multinational effort," the Norwegian defence ministry says.

"The goal is to meet the Norwegian and other partner nation's requirements for an anti-surface warfare capability on the F-35 in the 2020 timeframe."

Kongsberg has already struck its first international sale with the Naval Strike Missile design, with the Polish navy having ordered the weapon for surface-launched coastal defence applications.

Norway earlier this month confirmed its intention to buy an operational fleet of 48 conventional take-off and landing F-35As between 2017 and 2024, with these to follow an initial batch of four to be acquired to support its air force's training requirements. Oslo's current estimate for the Joint Strike Fighter purchase totals NKr60 billion ($10.5 billion).

[buglerbilly]

US Navy Wants Thermal Batteries for UAS-Launched Spike Missile

Posted on March 29, 2012 by The Editor



The US Navy is sending out an urgent request to industry for weapons-grade thermal batteries to power a new generation of the Spike missile from Rafael Advanced Defense Systems which naval designers are adapting to unmanned aircraft such as the General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper and the Northrop Grumman MQ-8 Fire Scout unmanned helicopter.

Officials of the Naval Air Warfare Center (NAWC) Weapons Division at China Lake, Calif., near Ridgecrest issued an urgent request for quote (solicitation N68936-12-T-0114) last week for quotations on thermal batteries for a new version of the Rafael Spike missile, which Rafael originally developed as an infantryman’s anti-tank weapon, but has adapted to a wide variety of applications, including for helicopters and other aircraft.

The new versions of the Spike missile reportedly are much smaller than the 100-pound Hellfire missile that typically arms the Reaper. Reapers can carry two or three Hellfire missiles today, but reportedly could carry as many as 12 of the new five-pound Spike missiles.

The new light Spike missile also could arm smaller fixed-wing and rotorcraft UAS, which today remain unarmed because of their small sizes. The latest extended-range version of the Spike missile are designed to destroy targets as far away as 15 miles.

Thermal batteries are molten-salt or liquid-sodium high-temperature batteries for applications such as missiles and other weapon systems where high energy density and high power density are necessary. These batteries typically are inactive in storage, and are activated for use typically with a pyrotechnical heat source that heats the cell to its operating range of 400 to 500 degrees Celsius.

At normal ambient temperatures the thermal battery’s electrolyte remains solid and inactive, but when heated to its operating temperature, the battery’s electrolyte turns to liquid and becomes active.

Experts say thermal batteries can be stored safely and with no degradation for as long as 50 years. Thermal batteries are the primary power source for missiles such as the AIM-9 Sidewinder, MIM-104 Patriot, BGM-71 TOW, and BGM-109 Tomahawk.

The thermal battery solicitation for the new Spike missiles, issued by the The Emergent Weapons System Division of the NAWC Weapons and Energetics Department, is open to “all responsible sources,” and is for rapid development of the new Spike variant, which is scheduled for live-fire demonstration beginning in March 2013.

Once the Spike’s thermal battery is designed and accepted, Navy officials say they may order as many as 1,200 of the batteries every year.

Source: Military & Aerospace Electronics

[buglerbilly]

Raytheon 250-pound Paveway Reaches Production Milestone

(Source: Raytheon Company; issued March 29, 2012)

NEW DELHI --- Raytheon Company's Paveway program achieved a major milestone when it completed production of the 1,000th 250-pound Paveway laser-guided precision munition. Raytheon's combat-proven Paveway is a kit that transforms "dumb" bombs into precision-guided weapons.

The 250-pound weapon, designated the GBU-58, is integrated on the AT-6, Super Etendard and the Mirage 3 aircraft. The Paveway family of weapons is integrated on more than 25 aircraft in 43 countries, including the Jaguar and Rafale. Raytheon has delivered more than 350,000 Paveway systems worldwide.

"The GBU-58, which is available via direct commercial sale, offers warfighters a small, precision-guided munition that reduces collateral damage," said Harry Schulte, Raytheon Missile Systems' vice president of Air Warfare Systems. "The Paveway family of weapons blends standoff capability with flexible warhead options, making it a cost-effective precision solution."

The combat-proven Paveway is a kit that transforms "dumb" bombs into precision-guided weapons. Paveway II and Paveway III are laser-guidance kits, while the Enhanced Paveway II, Enhanced Paveway III and Paveway IV use both laser and GPS guidance.

Paveway Highlights

--More than 300,000 Paveways are in the inventory of 43 nations.
--The Paveway family of weapons is integrated on more than 25 aircraft.
--Thousands of Paveways have been used in combat.

Raytheon Company, with 2011 sales of $25 billion, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 71,000 people worldwide.

-ends-

[buglerbilly]

New Raytheon Guided Bomb Completes Initial Flight Test

13.5-pound Small Tactical Munition Phase II designed for unmanned aircraft systems

TUCSON, Ariz., April 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company's (NYSE: RTN) Small Tactical Munition Phase II scored a direct hit on a target during the weapon's first guided flight test.

"STM Phase II is ideally suited to weaponize Shadow-class unmanned aircraft systems and counterinsurgency aircraft because STM is a mature, precise and affordable weapon," said Dr. Thomas R. Bussing, vice president of Advanced Missiles and Unmanned Systems for Raytheon Missile Systems. "STM gives warfighters flexibility because it enables them to engage moving and static targets with minimal collateral damage."

During the February test at Yuma Proving Ground, Ariz., a Raytheon Cobra unmanned aircraft system released the STM Phase II in flight. After safely separating from the UAS, the weapon used both GPS/INS and semi-active laser to guide to the target.

About Small Tactical Munition

STM Phase II is a new 13.5-pound, 22-inch long, precision-guided, gravity-dropped bomb specifically designed for employment from manned and unmanned aircraft systems.

STM Phase II is more than 2 inches shorter than the Phase I design and has foldable fins and wings, enabling two weapons to be placed inside the U.S. military's common launch tube. STM Phase II's modular assembly will make the system simpler to manufacture on a large scale.

Key Points


At 13.5 pounds and 22 inches, STM is the smallest air-launched weapon in the Raytheon portfolio.
Has both GPS/INS and digital semi-active laser guidance.
Small enough to be employed from the U.S. military's common launch tube.

[buglerbilly]

Pic of the STM Phase II weapon............

[buglerbilly]

RAF laser-guided bomb contract secures hundreds of UK jobs

An Equipment and Logistics news article

3 Apr 12

A £60m deal announced today for extra RAF precision munitions will help sustain hundreds of UK jobs.


An RAF armourer carefully closes the casing of a Paveway IV 'smart bomb' (stock image)
[Picture: Sergeant Pete Mobbs RAF, Crown Copyright/MOD 2011]

The contract is for Paveway IV, which is among the most advanced precision bombs in the world and considered the backbone of the RAF's bombing capability.

The contract has been awarded to Raytheon UK and will sustain some 450 jobs in advanced weapons manufacturing at its plants in Glenrothes, Scotland and Harlow, Essex.

A number of jobs will also be sustained at subcontractors Portsmouth Aviation Ltd, Portsmouth and Thales plant based in Basingstoke.

Paveway IV proved highly effective during the 2011 air campaign over Libya and is also currently used in Afghanistan on Tornado jets.

It is fitted with Global Positioning System (GPS) technology and laser guidance systems which mean that the precision delivery of the capability is unaffected by clouds or smoke screens, giving the UK the capability to conduct 24-hour attacks against a wide range of targets.

The weapon has a UK-developed fail-safe fuse mechanism which means that the bomb will only detonate once it has reached its intended target.

The Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology, Peter Luff, said:

"The Paveway IV bomb has been proven in combat in Afghanistan, where it continues to equip RAF Tornados, and in operations in support of the UN over Libya.


A Tornado GR4 is armed with Paveway IV bombs at Gioia del Colle, Italy (stock image)
[Picture: Sergeant Pete Mobbs RAF, Crown Copyright/MOD 2011]

"It is a highly sophisticated weapon and this contract will both boost the MOD's weapon stocks and support the employment of hundreds of skilled staff at plants across the UK who are working on this project.

"By stabilising the Defence budget, more and more we are able to commit to equipment projects which help to safeguard our national security."

Assistant Chief of the Air Staff, Air Vice-Marshal Baz North, said:

"Paveway munitions have long been a success story for the Royal Air Force in terms of their precision bombing capability. The ability to operate in any weather means that we are able to support operations 24/7; Paveway IV weapons are a real asset to not only the Royal Air Force, but to Defence as a whole."

Paveway IV was first introduced to operations in Afghanistan in 2008 and plans are in hand to fit it to the RAF's Typhoon combat aircraft in 2013.

[buglerbilly]

Pretty pics of Paveway IV..........

[buglerbilly]

US Marines Pick Classified Weapon for Shadow

Posted on April 10, 2012 by The Editor



The U.S. Marine Corps has chosen a classified weapon to arm the AAI RQ-7B Shadow tactical unmanned aerial system (UAS) for a field evaluation in Afghanistan.

“The weapon is classified. It’s a high-TRL [technology readiness level] system,” says Lt. Col. Scott Anderson, product manager for Shadow in the Army’s UAS programme office, which is supporting the Marine Corps’ plan to weaponize the aircraft to meet an urgent operational need.

The Marines are working to have the unidentified weapon declassified to make it easier to test and deploy the armed Shadow.

Several companies offered small, precision-guided weapons to meet the Marine Corps’ requirement, including Raytheon, which proposed its 13.5-lb., unpowered, laser-guided Small Tactical Munition (STM). “We don’t know the details, but they chose someone else’s weapon,” says J.R. Smith, business-development manager for advanced missiles and unmanned systems.

Following an 18-month weaponization programme, the Marines plan a 12-month deployment with two Shadow systems before deciding whether to arm the rest of its 13 systems, Anderson says.

“It’s a field user evaluation. They wanted an off-the-shelf weapon. It’s not necessarily what will arm Shadow in the end,” Smith says, adding that Raytheon will continue to offer the company-developed STM.

Several new payloads are in the pipeline for Shadow, Anderson says. A signals-intelligence system was tested in January for Special Operations Command and the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization (Jieddo), he says, with a deployment decision due this month.

Jieddo also has approached the Army to deploy a synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) payload on the Shadow this fall, as a quick-reaction capability, Anderson says. The SAR system has not yet been selected.

Shadow upgrades under way include the Ku-band tactical common data link (TCDL), flight testing of which is under way. This upgrade includes encryption and the universal ground control system. “Limited user testing for TCDL will be next spring, and we field shortly after,” Anderson says.

An effort is under way to replace the Shadow’s engine, which has experienced bearing failures in Afghanistan’s high temperatures. Anderson says the Army received 14 responses to a recent request for information on alternative powerplants.

The Shadow engine was designed to provide a time between overhauls of 200 hr., but is achieving 150 hr. The Army’s objective for the replacement engine is 500 hr., while providing added capability at lower sustainment cost, he says.

Source: Aviation Week

[buglerbilly]

IAF looks to buy precision rockets for helicopters

By YAAKOV KATZ

04/11/2012 01:46


Attack helicopters regularly frequently used for airstrikes in the Gaza Strip; IAF wants to move away from expensive Hellfire air-to-surface missile.
Photo: Nir Elias/Reuters

In an effort to improve its accuracy in urban warfare, the Israel Air Force is looking to purchase precision rockets for its helicopters, which are frequently used for airstrikes in the Gaza Strip.

IAF sources said the requirement for a guided rocket was issued in an attempt to improve its level of accuracy and to lower costs by moving away from using the expensive Hellfire air-to-surface missile.

The new rocket would be used by the IAF’s attack helicopter fleet comprising of Apache and Cobras.

“Our enemies hid inside urban settings and we need to be as accurate as possible in our operations,” a senior IAF officer explained.

The IAF is looking at Elbit Systems’ Guided Advanced Tactical Rocket (GATR), which uses a laser homing seeker to achieve accuracy against stationary and moving targets. Pilots using the GATR can lock onto targets prior to launch at ranges of 1-8 km.

Another possibility would be to purchase a rocket from Rafael Advanced Defense Systems’ family of Spike anti-tank guided missiles, which can also be launched from helicopters. The Spike Extended Range, for example, has a range of up to 8 km. like the GATR, but has the ability to update and switch targets after launch.

The IAF requirement for accurate rockets comes as the IDF moves forward with plans to equip its ground forces with precision rockets as well. In July, the IDF issued a tender to Israeli industries for rocket systems, which it believes will increase its strike capabilities ahead of a future conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon or Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Under the IDF’s plan, the Artillery Corps, which will operate the rockets, will establish a number of new rocket battalions within its various brigades.

Behind the requirement to obtain longer-range rockets with great precision is an overall IDF desire to take some of the load off the air force and allow it to focus strictly on strategic targets deep in enemy territory.

With the new rocket systems, the IDF will create a division of responsibility between the Artillery Corps and IAF to clarify who is responsible for which targets and at which ranges.

[buglerbilly]

Pentagon Contract Announcements

(Source: U.S Department of Defense; issued April 12, 2012)


Boeing has won a $99 million contract to do a quick redesign of the Massive Ordnance Penetrator, a 30,000 lb bomb designed to penetrate over 30 feet of concrete. (Boeing photo)

The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Mo., is being awarded a $98,800,000 not-to-exceed cost-plus-incentive-fee and firm-fixed-priced contract to procure enhanced threat response redesign for the Massive Ordnance Penetrator, a quick reaction capability program.

The location of the performance is St. Louis, Mo. Work is to be completed by March 30, 2014.

AAC/EBDK/EDBJ, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA868109-C-0280, P00034).

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Given that there is no immediate military requirement for the MOP in either Afghanistan or Iraq, and given the description of this contract as a “quick reaction capability program,” Iranian government officials should probably begin to worry.

-ends-

[buglerbilly]

Marine helicopters deploy with laser-guided rocket


The WGU-59/B Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) II impacts a designated target during an operational test in China Lake, Calif.

Apr 17, 2012

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. – The Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) II program manager announced the Marines recently fielded its highly precise, low-yield weapon to units in Afghanistan during a presentation at the Navy League’s Sea Air Space Expo here April 17.

Navy Capt. Brian Corey, APKWS program manager, confirmed Headquarters Marine Corps declared Initial Operating Capability March 27, authorizing APKWS to be employed in combat for deployment on AH-1W Super Cobra attack and UH-1Y Super Huey utility helicopters.

“This weapon will provide Marines with a much-needed capability for a precise rapid-fire missile system,” Corey said.

Corey said he is confident the weapon will be effective after successfully completing operational test in January. The combined government-BAE team conducted a series of tests to validate the readiness of the APKWS rocket to meet operational requirements, including safely launching and reliably acquiring, tracking and hitting laser-designated targets.

The APKWS II (WGU-59/B) is a semi-active laser guidance section that integrates with current 2.75-inch rocket motors and warheads. It provides precision engagement of soft, lightly armored targets with low collateral damage.

APKWS can be fired from any helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft that can launch 2.75-inch rockets. The Navy is working toward integrating the weapon on the MQ-8B Fire Scout unmanned helicopter in 2013.

PEO(U&W) Public Affairs
(301) 757-9703

[ADMk2]

Raytheon's new SBD II video... (no sound for some strange reason).

[geof]

Raytheon's new SBD II video... (no sound for some strange reason).



... BOOOOM !!! ... :-p

[buglerbilly]

US Marine Corps confirm APKWS use in Afghanistan

27 April 2012 - 10:30 by Tony Osborne in London



The US Marine Corps (USMC) has confirmed it has begun using the BAE Systems APKWS II WGU-59B laser-guided rocket system in Afghanistan.

A statement to Shephard from the Third Marine Air Wing (Forward), based at Camp Leatherneck in Helmand Province, said that the '3D MAW (FWD) began supporting marines on the ground with the APKWS in March,' but would not confirm the date of first firing or the sort of targets it has been used against. The USMC declared initial operating capability of the system on March 27.

The statement added: 'It was specifically chosen for employment due to its low collateral damage characteristics, which is important in the current operational environment.'

The use of the weapon is believed to be the first operational use of a laser-guided rocket system in an operational theatre. APKWS is currently cleared for use on the AH-1W Cobras and the UH-1Y Venoms, these types are being flown in theatre by HMLA-369 'Gunfighters.’

APKWS is essentially a guidance system screwed onto the end of an unguided rocket. Once fired, four spring-loaded vanes open revealing the laser seekers, which then look for the splash of the laser on the target. The weapon can be fired from any helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft that can launch 2.75-inch rockets.

The US Navy is also working toward integrating the weapon on the MQ-8B Fire Scout unmanned helicopter in 2013.

[buglerbilly]

Lockheed unveils gravity bomb for UAV

By: Zach Rosenberg Washington DC

2 hours ago

Source:



The US Army has confirmed successful the 28 March demonstration of a previously-undisclosed bomb from an AAI RQ-7 Shadow unmanned air vehicle (UAV) at Dugway Proving Grounds in Utah.

The bomb, a Lockheed Martin-built drop-glide weapon called Shadow Hawk is capable of precision guidance by a laser designator attached to the RQ-7. The bomb weighs 4.9kg (11lb) and has a diameter of 6.9 centimetres (2.75 inches). The munition impacted approximately eight inches from the designator target.

"The development was funded by Lockheed Martin IRAD (internal research and development) dollars," says Lockheed.

The RQ-7, operated by the Army and US Marine Corps (USMC), is by far the most numerous UAV in the US fleet. While the 28 March demonstration was funded by a branch of the US Army, other military branches and corporations have been examining the weaponisation of the aircraft. In December, 2011, RQ-7 manufacturer AAI was awarded a US Marine Corps contract to integrate and evaluate a separate small precision gravity bomb, a weapon which has apparently already been developed and fielded. "Lockheed Martin will continue to work towards additional testing to demonstrate additional capabilities of the system," says the company. "This includes ground testing of the warhead and preparation for additional flight tests."

Neither the Army nor AAI responded to immediate questions.

[buglerbilly]

Lockheed Martin’s Shadow Hawk Munition Launched From Shadow UAS For The First Time

1 May 2012

By Gary Mortimer



ORLANDO, Fla., May 1, 2012 Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) successfully conducted the first launch of a Shadow Hawk precision-guided weapon recently from a Shadow 200 Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), achieving a direct hit on the target.

Shadow Hawk is an 11-pound class, 2.75-inch diameter, 27-inch long drop-glide weapon. It is terminally guided by a semi-active laser seeker, providing better than one meter precision. Shadow Hawk also provides an essential off-axis capability, enabling engagement of designated targets off the aircraft’s wing.

“As the mission of the Shadow UAS continues to evolve, it will need capability that can immediately neutralize threats detected and designated by the Shadow’s sensor package, with minimum impact to the aircraft’s endurance,” said Glenn Kuller, director of advanced programs in Lockheed Martin’s Missiles and Fire Control business. “With precision strike accuracy, the Shadow Hawk is an ideal solution in urban environments where low collateral damage is essential.”

The test was conducted at the UAS Rapid Integration and Acceptance Center, Dugway Proving Ground, Utah. The Shadow Hawk munition was released from an altitude of 5,100 feet and impacted the target at a speed of 460 feet per second. Shadow Hawk’s sensor package, guidance electronics and control section successfully navigated the weapon to the target, hitting it just eight inches off the laser spot center. For this initial demonstration, the target was designated with a ground location laser designator.

As a lightweight, compact and modular precision weapon, Shadow Hawk reliably delivers an effective and lethal anti-personnel warhead from UAS platforms with limited size and weight payload capacities. Its low weight enables the Shadow UAS to maintain longer time-on-station for performing critical reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition operations.

“Equipped with Shadow Hawk and the UAS’ electro-optical and infrared cameras, a Shadow UAS can now offer battlefield commanders timely detection of threat activities, including fleeting and time-sensitive threats, along with a quick-strike capability,” Kuller said. “All of Shadow Hawk’s seeker and guidance components are flight proven and production ready, having been developed and tested on other Lockheed Martin weapon systems.”

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs about 123,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation’s net sales for 2011 were $46.5 billion.

[buglerbilly]

Rare New Program Start, JAGM, Rises From Acquisition Cemetery

By Colin Clark

Published: May 3, 2012

WASHINGTON: One of the few entirely new major Pentagon weapon systems appears to be rising from the dead, with the $5 billion Joint Air To Ground Missile living on roughly $300 million of money already appropriated and securing supportive language in the House Armed Services Committee's first draft of the defense policy bill.

"The rumors of the program's demise were greatly exaggerated," said J.R. Smith, Raytheon's head of business development for JAGM. He says "it's probably reasonable to assume there is about $300 million left" over from 2011 and 2012 funding to keep the program running through fiscal 2013. The Army, which has been named executive acquisition authority for the program, is expected to award two sole source contracts of the "not-to-exceed-undefinitized" type this summer to both companies.

Raytheon and Lockheed Martin have been locked in one of the more dramatic weapons contests in some time. It began with a fly-off, during which the Raytheon-Boeing team initially appeared to substantially best Lockheed, hitting the target three out of three tries, while America's number one defense company missed two of three tries. Since then both companies have successfully tested their nearly smokeless missiles for the vibrations and temperatures they would face being used on a helicopter or on a jet fighter and Lockheed put the missile through several shots on its own dime after the government sponsored tests ended.

The Raytheon-Boeing JAGM features an uncooled tri-mode seeker with semiactive laser (SAL), uncooled imaging infrared and millimeter wave guidance. Lockheed's system uses a cooled seeker that it claims provided much better resolution. Raytheon counters that its system is lighter, more reliable and cheaper.

The missile is designed to fire from the Army's AH-64D Apache attack helicopters, ARH-70 Arapaho scout helicopters, MQ-1C Sky Warrior unmanned aerial vehicles, Marine Corps AH-1Z Super Cobra helicopters, the Navy MH-60R/S Seahawk helicopters and F/A-18E/Fs.

The positive indicators for the program's survival aren't exactly legion, but they are pretty clear. Frank Kendall, undersecretary for acquisition, technology, and logistics, signed an Acquisition Decision Memorandum, granting new life to the program on March 20.

And we obtained markup language for the House Armed Services markup of the defense authorization bill. It OKs the $10 million in leftover 2011 money to be used to keep the program going for now. Here's what it says:

"The committee supports the JAGM program and approves of the decision to continue the program as outlined in the revised Acquisition Decision Memorandum (ADM) issued by the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics on March 20, 2012. The committee notes that significant prior-year funding is available to continue the program and encourages expedited contracting actions to ensure that these funds can be obligated in fiscal year 2012. While the
committee agrees with the decision in the ADM to explore technical trades to achieve a more affordable solution, the committee recommends that the Army retain a requirement for an all-weather, moving target-capable missile, with an emphasis on missile solutions capable of being fielded within 3 years of contract award. Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Army to provide a briefing to the congressional defense committees by August 1, 2012, on the revised acquisition plan, anticipated requirements, and program schedule and funding
needs."

Meanwhile, in keeping with Kendall's ADM, the Army has produced a JAGM affordability study and provided it to the two companies. We hear they have provided comments. Raytheon's Smith said he believes all testing for the rockets can be finished in 18 months to two years.

[buglerbilly]

Lockheed Martin's DAGR Successfully Engages Moving Target In Apache Demonstration

(Source: Lockheed Martin; issued May 8, 2012)

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Lockheed Martin's Direct Attack Guided Rocket (DAGR) successfully tracked and engaged a moving target in a recent demonstration at Yuma Proving Ground, Ariz.

"DAGR hit a moving target from 3.5 kilometers," said Hady Mourad, DAGR program director in Lockheed Martin's Missiles and Fire Control business. "Defeating high-value targets on the move is a critical capability, and demonstrating this ability is a significant milestone for the precision-strike DAGR."

Test pilots launched an inert DAGR round in high winds from an AH-64D Apache, designating the target using the helicopter's lock-on-before-launch mode. The target was a truck moving at 25 miles per hour.

The demonstration, which consisted of four flight tests, also showed other DAGR capabilities including use of lock-on-after-launch mode, a long-range 5 kilometer flight and launch from a 5-degree offset. The DAGR round hit within one meter of the laser spot in all four tests.

Lockheed Martin has conducted more than 30 DAGR flight tests from ranges of 1 kilometer to 5.1 kilometers. DAGR has been launched from multiple HELLFIRE-equipped rotary-wing platforms, including the AH-64D Apache, AH-6 Little Bird and OH-58 Kiowa Warrior.

DAGR incorporates proven Hellfire II technology into a 2.75-inch/70 millimeter module that integrates seamlessly with legacy Hydra-70 rockets. The result is a laser-guided missile that puts a 10-pound warhead within one meter of the laser spot, devastating high-value, non-armored or lightly-armored targets while minimizing collateral damage. DAGR enables pilots to lock on to targets before or after missile launch, and provides a large engagement envelope that allows them to pursue offset targets with confidence.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs about 123,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation's net sales for 2011 were $46.5 billion.

-ends-

[buglerbilly]

Russia to resume hypersonic missile activities

10:52 15 May 2012

Source:

Russia must restart the development of hypersonic weapons to respond to US advances in the field, Acting Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin says.

To be completed by 2015, Washington's research activities linked to hypersonic weapons represents an especially serious threat to Russia, Rogozin said during a visit to the state-owned Raduga Bereznyak missile design bureau at Dubna in the Moscow region.

Rogozin, who has responsibility in the Russian government for the military-industrial complex, cites the USA's Falcon, HiFire, HyFly and X-51 programmes as proof of the potential future threat posed by operational hypersonic weapons, which he believes could be available from 2015-2018.

"The undertaking of this work allows us to lay the basis for setting up a national competitor," he says.

Raduga and NPO Mashinostroeniye respectively carried out research work into the GELA and Meteorit hypersonic weapons during the Soviet era, but did not go on to produce working systems following a political decision taken in the late 1980s.

Rogozin describes this decision as "a treasonable act to our national interests", and claims that the USSR at that time had a lead over the USA in many areas of hypersonic research.

"Sadly today we see Russia lags noticeably in this sphere," he says. "Hypersonic missiles have significant advantages in terms of reaction times, invulnerability to existing and future air defence systems, long range and high altitude and kinetic energy."

Earlier this year India announced a joint project with Russia's NPO Mashinostroeniye to build a hypersonic successor to its BrahMos supersonic cruise missile.

[buglerbilly]

Raytheon Awarded $85 Million for Griffin Missile

Tamir Eshel May 18, 2012 23:12


Griffin B missile on a test launch

The U.S. Air Force awarded Raytheon the largest order yet for the Griffin missile,amounting over $85 million. The first delivery order will buy 22 all-up rounds and 43 telemetry rounds, to be delivered by July 2013. Previous orders of the Griffin were destined for the Special Operations Forces were awarded last year (2011) by the Army and U.S. Air Force.

These orders funded the procurement of 140 Block IIA and 25 telemetry rounds for about $30 million. Raytheon has been contracted annual firm-fixed-price orders for these weapons since 2008.

Griffin is 43 inches long, weighs 33 pounds and has a 13-pound warhead. Its range is believed to exceed the Hellfire’s 8 km range, reaching up to 12km when fired from high altitude. The Griffin uses loft maneuver and trajectory shaping to maximize range and achieve a steep angle of attack, thus maximizing hit accuracy while minimizing the risk of collateral damage or laser reflection errors.


The Griffin B on display at AUSA 2010.

The Griffin missile is in production and has already been integrated on the C-130 Harvest Hawk where it already was fired in anger in Afghanistan. Griffin A is an aft-eject missile designed for employment from non-conventional platforms such as the C-130 aircraft. Griffin B is a forward-firing missile that launches from rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft and ground-launch applications. (Each B model is contained in launch tube weighing 12 pounds. ) One of the platform considered as a carrier is the AT-6, the Griffin has also been fired from the OA-58D/F Kiowa Warrior helicopter. Other launching platforms already believed to be operational are the MQ-9 Reaper and MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft systems (UAS); the Navy also planned test firing the missile from an MQ_8B FireScout but that has not been confirmed yet. Surface platforms being tested include the Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) launcher used on some of the US Navy vessels (such as the Littoral Combat Ship – LCS). The Griffin was also launched from simple surface mounted ‘wedge launcher’, to be used for the protection of forward operating base (FOB).

During a test performed earlier this year the Army tested the Griffin B missile demonstrating how such missiles could be used to secure FOBs and small combat outposts. During the test, warfigthers fired a Griffin missile from a launcher at a static target more than 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) away. Using GPS coordinates generated by a tethered aerostat, the missile directly impacted the target. In another demonstration carried out last year, a Griffin was fired from a land-based RAM launcher at a static target more than 3 kilometers (approximately 2 statute miles) away. The weapon, guided by GPS and laser, scored a direct hit on the target. Both tests achieved all demonstration objectives, Raytheon said.

“Griffin enables ground forces to protect their locations by precisely engaging targets in a 360-degree radius,” said Harry Schulte, vice president of Raytheon Missile Systems’ Air Warfare Systems product line. “Griffin enables sailors to defend against small, fast-moving surface craft employed by pirates and other non-traditional threats” Schulte added. The Griffin’s user-friendly graphic interface enables the user to guide the weapon to the target using GPS coordinates or laser designation. To maximize effectiveness, the user can choose to engage the target with height of burst, point detonation or fuze delay.