| The
UK Ministry of Defense is funding an MBDA study of future family
of
'anti-air' weapons known as the Common Anti-Air Modular Missile
(CAMM). The new weapon will utilize the airframe and some of
the components used with the Advanced Short-Range Air-to-Air
Missile (ASRAAM) and introduce advanced
and enhanced capabilities for aircraft currently deploying this
short range, heat seeking missile. But CAMM will be aimed at
more applications than AAM
enhancements. By meeting tri-service requirements, the new missile
could be
used to replace existing weapons such as the land-based Rapier
point-defense
missile system, and naval Sea Wolf missile. CAMM is expected
to be available
for deployment from around 2018 onward, coinciding with the
planned retirement of the SeaWolf system. Rapier systems are
scheduled for retirement by 2020.
MBDA is also pursuing another precision
attack concept known as Selective Precision Effects At Range
(SPEAR), a UK Royal Air Force's (RAF) requirement for the ability
to engage mobile relocateable and fixed targets at long stand-off
ranges with extreme precision. Initial deployment of network-enabled
SPEAR family of missiles is expected around 2015 or later, depending
on aircraft platform. SPEAR places much emphasis to enable the
air force to maintain operational capability even under restricting,
ever changing rules of engagement, associated with asymmetric
warfare. SPEAR is expected to operate in day, night and in all
weather conditions, carried by aircraft including the Tornado
GR4, Typhoon and F-35 Lightning II. Target sets attacked by
SPEAR munitions could include semi-hardened buildings such as
command posts, mobile air defense units and moving targets,
including small 4x4 and light armored vehicles. An important
capability required with SPEAR is its ability to discriminate
between a moving 'target', designated and confirmed by the user,
and 'non targets' - other moving vehicles similar in shape and
size. SPEAR will be very flexible in its targeting which can
take place from the platform itself or from a third party, such
as a wingman or operator on the ground.
 Two
years ago Defense-Update covered the progress of the British
Loitering Munition Concept Demonstration
(LMCD), last year the program assessed the British Army's
artillery needs for Indirect Fire Precision Attack requirement
for a low-cost all-weather precise strike capability at long
range. In the past two years the program has progressed into
a technology assessment program, expected to take place in 2008,
eventually leading to full scale development decision within
three years. At DSEi 07, a new loitering weapon called "Fire
Shadow" was unveilled by Team LM (Loitering Munition),
an all-British team headed by MBDA UK. The team also includes
Blue Bear Systems Research, Cranfield Aerospace, Cranfield University,
Lockheed Martin UK INSYS, Marshalls SV, Meggitt, QinetiQ, Roxel,
Selex SAS, Thales UK, Ultra Electronics and VEGA. The Israeli
companies that participated in the earlier evaluation phase
(RAFAEL which teamed with Ultra and IAI which teamed with MBDA)
were eliminated from the teams.
A next generation missile currently designated
Multi-Role Combat Missile (MRCM) is also under development as
part of a tri-national initiative involving the UK, France and
Sweden. The program, previously known as European Modular Munition
(EMM) pursue the development of next-generation, precision attack
weapon to be carried with attack helicopters, small naval crafts
and emerging ground based platforms, such as the family of Future
Rapid effects Systems vehicles (FRES). The missile will
be employed in Line of Sight (LOS) and beyond Line of Sight
(BLOS) engagement profiles, providing precision attack capability
at short (~6 km), medium (~15 km) and long (>50) km range.
At present, the three nations are funding a three year technology
demonstration phase that began in 2006. Under this framework,
MBDA and Saab Bofors Dynamics are formulating a Joint Systems
Architecture Study to be launched during autumn 2007. Subsequently,
the program is expected to enter development starting 2010.
If progress is made according to plans, initial fielding of
MRCM product could be as early as by 2014.
 High
precision lethal effects at much shorter range are enabled by
laser guided weapons such as Lockheed martin's new Direct
Attack Guided Rocket (DAGR). The company introduced a quad-launcher
carrying four DAGR rockets, compatible with the M299 and M310
'smart' launchers currently associated with Hellfire missiles.
Lockheed Martin developed the rocket as a private initiative
and plans to offer the new system to its Hellfire customers.
These 2.75"/70mm rockets are fitted with semi-active laser
guidedance offering performance comparable to that of the precision
strike laser guided Hellfire II missile. The DAGR guidance kit
provides standard rockets, such as the Hydra-70 and CRV-7 with
lock-on before launch and lock-on-after-launch and target handoff
capability. The guided rocket also offers advanced features,
including enhanced built-in test and laser coding setting from
the cockpit. Off-axis capability should increase hit probability
and expand the engagement envelope in difficult launch positions,
providing additional field of view for angle of attack, moving
targets and wind corrections.
 Lockheed
Martin UK INSYS displayed at DSEi 07 the prototype of the British
Army's Lightweight Mobile Artillery Weapon System /Rocket LIMAWS(R)
based on a British Supacat 600 series High Mobility Transporter
(HMT) specialty vehicle. The company is expected to build four
pre-production vehicles under a forthcoming MOD demonstration
and manufacturing contract. The vehicle will be able to carry
and launch the M270B1 upgraded
MLRS and Guided MLRS (GMLRS)
weapons. Each LIMAWS(R) will carry six rockets or a single ATACMS
missile, a weapon the British Army is expected to field
in the future. It will have the ability to ripple fire GMLRS
at up to six independent targets, from level or sloping ground.
A loaded LIMAWS(R) will fit internally in a C-130 Hercules,
or be lifted by sling load by a CH-47 Chinook, enabling MLRS
firepower an unprecedented tactical mobility into areas previously
inaccessible to heavy support systems.
The vehicle can be reloaded within minutes by a single soldier.
Reloading can be performed on sloping ground and on any surface,
operated by a single soldier. The British Army is expected to
field 20 LIMAWS(R) units.
 Back
to the air defense
domain, another missile in development is the Starstreak II
from Thales Air Defence. The company introduced a new version
of the Starstreak surface-to-air missile, called Starstreak
II. The new version has an extended range of about 7 km, and
increased altitude. The missile's laser beam guidance has been
improved to facilitate interception of smaller targets, including
helicopters, low-flying aircraft and UAVs. It can also be employed
in direct attack against light armored vehicles. The new missile
could be operating from Thales' multi-mission system (MMS),
a vehicle borne multiple launcher system currently deployed
with British and South-African armies. Beside air defense weapons,
the launchers are configured to carry a number of alternative
weapons, including Hellfire, Spike, Javelin or Ingwe ATGMs or
a combination of different missiles.
Topics covered in this review:
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