Archive for category: Missiles

The PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) performed the first successful intercept test today fired from the Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) MEADS lightweight launcher and employing the MEADS system battle manager. The test, first of three planned in the next 24 months, are part of the ongoing system development, currently funded through 2014.

The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps 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, as part of the program’s low-rate initial production phase.

Israel has conducted a ballistic missile test from the Palmachim Air & Space test center. Israel’s Ministry of Defense confirmed the test was successful, indicating that the purpose of the launch was the testing of a new advanced propulsion system. Local reports published in the Israeli media indicated the propulsion system employed multiple stages, with limited maneuvering performed at the ascent phase.

An aH-64D Apache Block III equipped with the new Unmanned Aerial Systems Tactical Common Data Link Assembly (UTA) recently controlled an unmanned vehicle, while both were in flight. This marks the first time an unmanned vehicle has been controlled from the cockpit of an Apache, a significant accomplishment in manned-unmanned [...]

Northrop Grumman Corporation has started work outfitting the U.S. Navy’s MQ-8B Fire Scout unmanned helicopter with the Advanced Precision Kill Weapons System (APKWS) laser-guided 70mm rocket. Such an armed unmanned platform will provide naval platforms, specifically the Littoral Combat Ship an autonomous engagement capability highly suitable for littoral warfare. This [...]

Oman is requesting to receive an integrated air defense system based on the Boeing Avenger very short range air defense (VSHORAD) system, augmented with medium range AMRAAM interceptors

With Night Hunter’s Dropped, Apache Block III Remains the Finalist in India’s Attack Helicopter Selection. Selecting the AH-64D will also pave the way for India to receive the AGM-114L-3 Hellfire Longbow anti-tank guided missile for the first time.

The “Iron Dome” anti-rocket active defense system was first used by Israel in April 2011 with great technical success. The study concludes that the Iron Dome system has succeeded in saving lives and reducing damages, thus providing more flexibility to the political leadership for containing the fighting with the Hamas government in Gaza. This success has prompted Israel’s defense officials to publicly set strategic objectives and limitations of the system, which, until then, had not been divulged.

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.

Seven months after the beginning of the conflict the French forces spent over 950 bombs, 240 guided weapons and 431 HOT anti-tank missiles in Libya. However, while weapons replenishment could be expected soon, French aircraft ordnance maker Société des Ateliers Mécaniques de Pont sur Sambre (SAMP) is shutting down production because of lack of orders.

Elbit Systems is demonstrating several new systems providing ground forces with better, safer air support. Among the systems displayed at the AUSA exhibition are the Rattler and Serpent-M, an ultra-light, battery-powered laser target designator and marker is small enough to be carried by foot-mobile war fighters, enabling soldiers to designate targets for laser-guided bombs, missiles and other munitions.

The U.S. Army Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile system performed a successful intercept today, scoring almost simultaneous kill of two targets. The test was conducted at the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) on Kauai, Hawaii, as part of the The test, part of the first THAAD unit’s initial operational qualification phase.

ATK and General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems are teaming to offer a full-up solution for the U.S. Marine Corps’ requirements for the rifled, 120mm Precision Extended Range Mortar (PERM). The new guided munition will provide the Corps’ Expeditionary Fire Support System (EFSS) towed-mortar the option to engage point targets from ranges of 16 – 20km.

The Missile Defense Agency will evaluate two different ‘liquid divert’ technologies considered the new divert system for the ‘Next Generation AEGIS Missile’, to reduce the technological risk associate with the weapon’s advanced kill vehicle. Two contracts worth about $14 million each were awarded to Aerojet and Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, Inc., both will test specific liquid divert and attitude control system technologies for the next two years.

The U.S. is embarking on a development of a future Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver to better cope with hostile electronic attacks. Last week the Air Force awarded two contracts worth $47 million each to BAE Systems and Northrop grumman, for the development of ‘navigation warfare’ (NAVWAR) Sensor that could replace military GPS receivers used on aircraft and missiles.

Iran is fielding a new version of the C-802 anti-ship missile designed to defeat large surface combattants. The Qader missile can be launched from surface naval platforms or from vehicles, in its coastal defense configuration. Following qualification tests carried out in August 2011 off the Streits of Hurmoz, the first [...]

Oto Melara is developing a family of extended range, guided and unguided 76mm projectiles designed for the popular 76/62 naval gun system. The weapon addresses new operational requirements evolving from modern littoral warfare missions; as reflected in the Second lebanon War (2006) and the Libyan campaign in 2011.

Eurocopter Tests Hybrid propulsion for Helicopters, to Enhance Safety on Emergency Landing | RBS15 Mk3 Inducted into German Navy Service

India has tested the Shourya nuclear-capable surface/surface missile, at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur off Orissa coast, about 15 km from Balasore. The missile can carry a warhead weighing one ton, a weight sufficient for a nuclear device. However, its massive warhead combined with relatively high accuracy of less than 30 meters (aided GPS) make the Shourya effective for conventional attack of high value targets. Shourya is scheduled to enter service in 2013.

The EGBU-28/BLU-113 Hard Target Penetrator was first deployed during the First Gulf War in 1991 as a laser guided munition. It is now available with Laser/GPS or GPS Aided Guidance, offering all-weather accuracy of less than six meters, or with laser guidance. The 4,400 pounds (2.2 tons) weapon can destroy reinforced concrete protected targets buried 30 meters in the ground.

The U.S. Navy recently completed two successful live fire tests of the Raytheon AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder air/air missile. Following the recent approval for Raytheon to enter low rate initial production, AIM-9X Block II is now scheduled to enter operational testing in spring 2012.

A new GPS-enabled telemetry system developed by the government team in U.S. Navy Weapons Test Center at China Lake enables highly-accurate, high-rate, three dimensional time, space and position information to be collected during missile fly-out.

The Raytheon AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder air/air missile has passed ‘Milestone C’ on June 30, 2011 – clearing the program for Low Rate Initial Production. Raytheon is expected to begin production of more than 5,000 operational AIM-9X Block II rounds for U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force over the life of the program.

Raytheon Company and its German industry partner, RAMSYS completed the upgrade integration of the Rolling Airframe Missile Block II preparing the enhanced missile for flight testing later this year.

In a briefing at the recent Land Warfare conference held in Latrun, Israel earlier this month, the commander of the IDF Northern Command, Major General Gershon HaCohen, examined maneuver and fire alternatives and their role against the evolving hybrid warfare challenges. “It is obvious land maneuver is not a goal in itself. Classic maneuver should shake an enemy force out of balance, however, maneuvering against irregular, ‘disappearing’ forces is difficult due to the lack of clear center weights” said HaCohen.

Following successful firing trials MBDA is preparing to deliver the first Fire Shadow firing units to the British Army. The new loitering weapon could be deployed to Afghanistan by early 2012, significantly extending the reach, coverage and persistent of current artillery fires.

The Tamuz precision guided beyond line of sight (BLOS) guided weapon was developed by RAFAEL Advanced Defense Systems since the late 1970s and has been fielded by the Israeli artillery corps since the early 1980s.

The evolution of the Syrian, Iranian armies and guerrillas into semi-irregular formations, challenging the Israeli domination of the battlefield with hybrid warfare concepts. Defense Update covers this topic in two parts, one outlining the transformation of the Syrian land forces.

Turkey Agrees to Host European BMD Radar Turkey has agreed to host an early warning radar as part of NATO’s missile defense system aimed at countering ballistic missile threats from neighboring Iran, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said Friday. While NATO leaders agreed in 2010 to implement an anti-missile system over [...]

The advanced Standaard missile 3 (SM-3) Block 1B failed its first intercept test yesterday in a ballistic missile intercept test conducted by the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA). The missile was launched from BMD cruiser Lake Eire (CG70), at a short range ballistic missile target launched from the Pacific Missile Range facility in Hawaii.

The U.S. Army has awarded AeroVironment a contract worth almost $5 million for the first deliveries of Switchblade agile munition, the company announced today. The contract was awarded two month ago, on June 29, 2011, culminating a selection process for a loitering light weight munition. The procurement is part of [...]

The second and final flight test of DARPA’s Hypersonic Test Vehicle 2 (HTV-2) failed today as the capsule, launched by the Minotaur IV missile, was lost upon reentering earth atmosphere, about nine after launch. “We do not yet know how to achieve the desired control during the aerodynamic phase of flight.” HTV-2 PM said. DARPA has assembled an independent Engineering Review Board to review and analyze the data collected through the experiment.

The Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Infrared Search and Track (IRST) program has moved to the engineering and manufacturing development phase, clearing Milestone B Acquisition Decision Memorandum from the U.S. Navy last week.

Iran is planning to launch multiple ballistic missiles this week, as part of the annual, week-long ‘Great Prophet’ series of large scale exercises, incorporating the firing of various types of missiles. Among the missiles to be launched in the week-long exercise are long-range, mid-range, and short-range missiles, including Khalij-e Fars [...]

Russia is set to resume this week the flight testing of its (RSM-56) Bulava Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM) system (NATO code name SS-NX-30). According to a Russian Defense Ministry source quoted by Novosti, the next launch is scheduled for June 28, two weeks after the original ‘window’ announced for the flight. [...]

MBDA confirmed today that its PARS 3 Long Range (LR) guided missile system has been short listed for the Indian Army helicopter future air-to-ground requirement. MBDA Deutschland is also cooperating with Russian helicopter manufacturers Kamov and Mil, integrating the Ka-52 and Mi-28 with PARS 3 LR air/ground and Mistral Air/Air [...]

UVision has introduced the WASP – a personal, mini UAV that has performance characteristics of a missile, with versatility, user control and reusability of a UAV.

Rafael is demonstrating a new concept of Multi-level Integrated Command, Control and Communications Air Defense (MIC4AD) at the Paris Airshow 2011. “With this system we go beyond the weapon system, introducing a system of systems that manages, optimizes and controls networked, air defense capabilities” Yossi Horowitz, RAFAEL air defense business [...]

Missile technology is one of the highlights of RAFAEl’s display at this year’s Paris Airshow. The company displays here a range of air defense missiles – including Stunner, heading for full system-testing this year, the Iron Dome Counter-rocket missile system, recently combat- proven in Southern Israel and the Medium Range [...]

Towards the Paris Air Show 2011 opening on Monday, 20 June, defense Update outlines the highlights, trends, names and buzz building up for the biennial event, the world’s largest aerospace event. Defense Update will continue to report on site as news become available. Stay tuned on te web, by e-mail or with our special mobile phone or iPad apps.

IAI Elta is introducing a new air defense, surveillance, threat alert and air traffic control radar (AD STAR) offering an affordable, mission specific solution for customers worldwide. In recent years IAI Elta has witnessed a growing demand for air surveillance radars, with customers planning to phase out legacy air defense radar system.

Israel Aerospace Industries is unveiling the Medium range Laser Guided Bomb (MLGB), a 250 pound class (115 kg) laser guided weapon designed for operation from fighter and light attack aircraft using standard weapon attachments.

The Compact Kinetic Energy Missile (CKEM) is about 1.5 meter (60 inches) long, weighing less than 45 kg (100 pounds). It is designed to operate as short as  400 meters and at extended range, engaging tanks and other armored vehicles well beyond their effective range. The missile’s kill effector is [...]

Agni III intermediate range ballistic missile has already been inducted into the Indian armed forces, offering extended reach (3,000 km) for its deterrent forces.

A recent air launching demonstration of two Miniature Air Launched Decoy (MALD) instrumented shapes from the ramp of a C-130 Hercules, employed the new Raytheon-developed and funded MALD Cargo Air Launched System (MCALS), opening the door for ‘non traditional’ counter-air support operations.

The U.S. is funding the production of four more batteries of Iron Dome missile systems, to assist Israel in defending against short-range anti-rocket attacks from Gaza and South Lebanon. According to the director of the U.S. Missile defense Agency, Army Lieutenant General Patrick O’Reilly, speaking to the the US Senate [...]

After half a century of service, and numerous upgrades, the Israeli air force is finally considering phasing out the Raytheon MIM-23 Hawk surface-to-air missiles, replacing it with with David’s Sling, an air defense missile system  being developed in Israel and the U.S., by a joint venture between Raytheon and Rafael [...]

The US Army has received the first two Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missiles from Lockheed Martin at the Anniston Defense Munitions Center, May 16, 2011 capping off years of planning and development.

The Libyan campaign has emphasized unique advantages of the French AASM-250 autonomous guided weapons. Previously criticized as an excessively expensive weapon, AASM proved its value in offering operational flexibility, in providing small fighting formations the effects achied by much larger strike forces.

Laser guided bombs are often more accurate than GPS guided weapons, typically achieving circular error points (CEP) of thee to one meters. On the down side, their employment requires complex coordination, restricting mission planning and maneuverability, considerably reducing mission success rate.