AEGIS Scores Second Terminal Phase Kill of a Short Range Ballistic Missile Target

Jun 8, 2008

A recent test of the AEGIS Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) systems weapon system demonstrated the ability of the U.S. Navy’s newest AEGIS cruiser, USS Lake Erie (CG 70) to engage ballistic missile targets. During the test the cruiser employed its BMD 3.6.1 AEGIS system to detect, track and intercept a short-range unitary ballistic missile target in the terminal phase of its trajectory using two SM-2 Block IV missiles performing endo-atmospheric (within the atmosphere) intercept. The system was also employed in February 2008 for the shoot down of a U.S. government satellite before it reentered the atmosphere.

The new system will be certified for U.S. Navy fleet operations later this year. The SM-2 Block IV missiles were recently modified to perform the terminal phase endo-atmospheric intercept of a ballistic missile. In addition to the recent successful terminal phase intercept Aegis BMD has performed 13 successful exo-atmospheric intercepts in 15 attempts in the midcourse and terminal phase of flight.

Ballistic missiles present different challenges during each phase of flight, and Aegis BMD is proving its full range of flexibility,” said Orlando Carvalho, vice president of Lockheed Martin’s Surface/Sea-Based Missile Defense line of business. “That flexibility reflects the disciplined systems engineering that invented, evolved and continues to develop Aegis capabilities against threats yet to come. Engaging ballistic missiles from the sea in the terminal phase is challenging for both the Sailors who executed this mission and the weapon system they used. Sea-Based Terminal is a critical capability in the Aegis BMD weapon system that provides protection to population centers, our deployed forces abroad, and critical infrastructure.”

The Missile Defense Agency and the U.S. Navy are jointly developing Aegis BMD as part of the United States’ Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS). Currently, 12 U.S. Navy Aegis-equipped warships have the ability to conduct long-range search and track, and engage ballistic missiles. Another five Aegis warships are equipped with Aegis BMD long-range surveillance and track capability. By the end of 2008, 15 Aegis destroyers and three Aegis cruisers will have the capability to engage short to intermediate-range ballistic missile threats and support other BMDS engagements using the Aegis BMD Weapon System and the SM-3. The Aegis BMD 3.6.1 will be installed on all U.S. Navy Aegis BMD ships beginning in 2009. Japan has purchased Aegis BMD capability for its Kongo-class Aegis destroyers, and completed its first successful test of Aegis BMD in December 2007.

BAE Systems Rolls-out the FCS’s All-Automatic, Ultra-lightweight 155mm Howitzer

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Jun 7, 2008

BAE Systems rolled out the Non Line Of Sight Cannon (NLOS/C) to the Army on May 30, 2008. NLOS/C is the first prototype of the Manned FCS vehicle. This prototype was the first of nine vehicles to be delivered to the Army for engineering, mobility, safety and reliability testing as well as gun firing, to be conducted at the Army Yuma Proving Grounds, Arizona, by 2009.

Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army Gen. George W. Casey and U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) inspected the Army's newest 155 mm self propelled, automatic loading howitzer at BAE System's central engineering facility in Minneapolis. The cannon rolled out here May 30, 2008 will be fielded as part of the Army's Future Combat Systems family of weapons by 2014. Photo: BAE Systems The five early configuration platforms including the first prototype currently delivered will be supplied this year and the remaining three will be configured in a full system development and demonstration (SDD) design, will be delivered by early 2009. According to Lt. Col. Robert McVay, product manager for the NLOS-C, the new vehicle will also provide the army an opportunity to evaluate the FCS’ new and promising propulsion technology, including the hybrid electric drive, the traction drive subsystem, the hydroupneumatic suspension, the band track and the new 440kW power generator. All these will be tested on a real platform for the first time. The testing at Yuma will put two years of testing on the chassis before a critical design review for the MGV family is performed in 2010.

The Non-Line-Of-Sight Cannon Firing Platform undergoing firing tests in Yuma. Photo: BAE Systems The NLOS-C is introducing a new, lightweight and fully automatic 155mm 38 caliber howitzer gun. This armament system, including the gun, auto-loader and electrical control systems are being tested extensively in the past two years at the Yuma proving grounds. “That is the end-state gun, it has finished firing over 2,000 rounds since October 2006, as part of the gun development program,” McVay said. “The mission module is approaching the 90-plus percent threshold. For the chassis — this is the first time the Army will take a full hybrid-electric, independent semi-active suspension system and mate it with a mission module and run it into tests.” and The system is designed to improve the survivability of both itself and its two-man crew and can operate in a range of environmental conditions. McVay said by 2010, the Army expects to take delivery of the first six “special interest program platform” NLOS-C vehicles at Fort Bliss, Texas. There, the Army Evaluation Task Force will begin its testing and development of tactics, techniques, procedures and doctrine for the vehicle. The task force is scheduled to receive six vehicles a year, between 2010 and 2012 — for a total of 18. By 2014, NLOS-C is expected to reach full operational capability status, and will be ready for fielding to combat units.

A BAE System’s video depicting the complex ammuniton handling system developed for the NLOS Cannon. This system enables the gun to be operated fully automatically, by only two crewmembers.

The NLOS-C is also designed to work in concert with other FCS manned ground vehicles to include the XM1204 Non Line of Sight-Mortar; XM1202 Mounted Combat System; XM1208 Medical Vehicle-Treatment and XM1207 Medical Vehicle-Evacuation; XM1205 Recovery and Maintenance Vehicle; XM1201 Reconnaissance and Surveillance Vehicles; XM1206 Infantry Carrier Vehicle; and XM1209 Command and Control Vehicle. The Army expects to see prototype vehicles for other FCS MGVs beginning in 2011. All eight of the FCS manned combat vehicles are mounted on nearly the same chassis — they share more than 80 percent compatibility across the family of vehicles. They are unique in that they are electrically powered. A diesel engine on board turns a generator, which in turn charges batteries, which in turn powers electric motors that drive the tracks. In fact, the entire vehicle is electrically powered.

Insitu Integrator UAV

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Jun 3, 2008

Insitu unveiled at AUVSI its latest unmanned aerial system designated ‘Integrator’. The new vehicle extends the company’s Insight family of vehicles (which includes the ScanEagle) with the ability to carry out longer missions with larger payloads. Following a modular design, the Integrator decouples the payload from the airframe to ease payload integration. Additional internal payload options for Integrator include a wide range of intelligence, communications and expandable capabilities and options. The Integrator has an empty weight of 55 lbs (25 kg), loaded with full payload of 25 lbs (11.3kg) fuel and payload the maximum takeoff weight of 130 lbs (59 kg). It is powered by reciprocating piston engine developing eight horsepowers, and runs on heavy fuel or auto gas. The vehicle is designed for a cruising speed of 55 knots and maximum speed is 90 kt. Service ceiling is 20,000 ft.

The new vehicle will utilize a larger 10×10 inch (25×25 cm) box shaped fuselage, couples with 16 ft (4.8 meter) span swept wing. Unlike the clean blended wing design of the ScanEagle, Integrator has more control surfaces, with booms carrying a vertical tail and horizontal stabilizer coupled to each wing. Unlike most UAV designs, Integrator is not using the classical H design used by most UAVs, as the two tails are not connected by a common horizontal stabilizer.

The wing roots are strengthened to carry external payload options, including all existing Scaneagle payloads, EO and IR turrets and communications. In its baseline configuration the Integrator carries an electro-optical stabilized payload including visual and long-wave InfraRed (LWIR) sensor and Mid-Range InfraRed (MWIR) cameras with optional infrared marker and laser rangefinder. The platform can sustain communications link over 55 nautical miles with extended beyond-line-of-sight mission radius of up to 550 nm. Launch and recovery are performed autonomously using pneumatic catapult launcher and patented ‘wingtip snag’, enabling safe and reliable recovery without the need for infrastructure, over rough or mountainous land, as well as at sea. Integrator will be interoperable with Insight platforms and ScanEagle, using common ground system components. The avionic suite is based on Athena Guidestar system, utilizing differential GPS navigation.

HERON TP Promoted for Strategic ISR in Germany, France and Spain

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Jun 2, 2008

Heron TP Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) made progress in Europe recently, being endorsed by leading industries in Europe as a recommended platform for major intelligence, reconnaissance, surveillance missions. Yesterday IAI and the German Rheinmetall Defense Company signed a cooperation agreement to pursue opportunities in theGerman market, while last week, a group of French and Spanish industries proposed the Heron TP to fulfill similar roles in the service of French and Spanish militaries.

Israel Aerospace Industries and Rheinmetall Defence signed today (June 2, 2008) in Israel a cooperation agreement to jointly market IAI’s Heron TP unmanned aerial system in Germany. The cooperation targets the German Federal Defense Forces (Bundeswehr) SAATEG UAV program planned for initial deployment as early as 2010, introducing a persistent reconnaissance gathering platform to operate in theater, in support of German and NATO deployed forces. According to the agreement, IAI will provide the UAV system, while Rheinmetall will be responsible for the mission control system, logistic support and networking and interfacing with other command and control systems. The German Air Force (Luftwaffe) will be operating these systems, under its 51 aerial reconnaissance wing to operate from Jagel Air Base. The unit is expected to operate the Euro Hawk, a Global Hawk derivative designed to address NATO’s SIGINT requirements. While controlled from Jagel, the unmanned aircraft could be deployed overseas, including Mazar-e Sharif in Afghanistan, from where they will be able to support ISAF operations in theater.

EuroHawk is being developed by EuroHawk GmbH, a joint venture between EADS and Northrop Grumman. The company was awarded €430 million to develop, build and fly the first demonstrator by 2010. Unlike the EuroHawk focus on SIGINT, the platform selected for SAATEG will be equipped primarily with high resolution electro-optical payloads. The plan calls for five UAVs to be procured for an initial capability. Sofar the Luftwaffe’s SAATEG plans where endorsed by General Atomics, teaming wit Diehl BGT Defence. The IAI/Rheinmetall Defence team claims that the Heron TP is meeting all the SAATEG criteria in its current form. TheHeron TP has been developed at IAI to address the requirements of the Israel Air Force and tose made by several international air forces. Several systems are already completed and tested and the entire system is ready for serial production.

While the Predator B (Reaper) is already operational with U.S. and British Royal Air Force in Afghanistan, the Heron TP could evolve as a strong competitor, particularly in Europe, following the support of major European companies including Dassault Aviation, Thales and Indra, to the Heron TP platform. Last week (May 22, 2008) the industry team submitted a proposal to the French and Spanish ministries of defence, establishing MALE UAV capability to be developed within the framework of Franco-Spanish cooperation. This capability to be based on Heron TP platforms, would match the operational needs of both countries, and allow the supply to both Armed Forces of long endurance UAVs for theatre surveillance by the end of 2012.

The Heron TP was unveiled last year at the Paris Air Show. (below)

Boeing, Alenia Jointly Pursue International Training Business

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May 30, 2008

Boeing and Alenia Aermacchi announced they will cooperate in the marketing of Alenia’s trainer aircraft, jointly pursuing marketing opportunities woldwide. The strategic alliance is designed to increase the two companies’ commercial presence in the international market for next-generation trainers by offering more flexible training services, addressing modern air force’s requirements for privatized, service oriented training packages.

The agreement covers two of Aermacchi’s leading platforms – the new M-346 Advanced and Lead-in-Fighter Trainer and the M-311 basic-advanced trainer. Under the agreement, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems’ Support Systems division will be responsible for several aspects of the program’s logistics support and associated training. Combining Boeing’s sustainment and training systems capabilities with Alenia Aermacchi will improve mission effectiveness, help reduce total cost of ownership and further strengthen the advantages of the M-346 and M-311. Alenia Aermacchi, a Finmeccanica company produces a range of training aircraft, including the SF-260 selection/primary training, M-311 basic/advanced training with turbofan engine, MB-339CD (advanced Lead-in-Fighter Trainer. The company is currently introducing the new-generation M-346 advanced Lead-in-Fighter Trainer.

More TALONs for the U.S. Military

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May 30, 2008

Foster-Miller, a subsidiary of QinetiQ’s Technology Solutions Group announced the receipt of new orders for TALON robots under a recent $400 million IDIQ (indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity) contract awarded by the Robotic Systems Joint Program Office (RSJPO) administered by the Naval Air Warfare Training Systems Division (NAVAIR). It is a follow-on to the $150 million IDIQ awarded in the spring of 2007 that has now been fully funded.

The current order covers planned acquisitions for five years (through 2013). These additional TALON robots and replacement parts are required by units operating in Iraq and Afghanistan. Over 2,000 TALON robots are now deployed mostly in Iraq and Afghanistan, where they are used to assist military personnel with counter- Improvised Explosive Devices (C-IEDs) missions. Snce their first deployment TALON robots have been used in more than 80,000 counter-IED missions.

British Forces to receive 32 ton Recovery Trucks as part of the £1.3Bn Support Vehicle (SV)

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May 30, 2008

The British Army will soon deploy new heavy recovery vehicles and trailers based on the 32 ton truck produced by MAN Truck & Bus UK Ltd. The new vehicles will be capable of retrieving the heaviest vehicles on operations. Such heavy vehicles were required to support the Mastiff heavy protected wheeled vehicle, the medium protected combat vehicle and other wheeled vehicles deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan in recent years. 288 Recovery Vehicles will be delivered with 69 Recovery trailers to equip troops on operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan where required.

Powered by a 440Hp, 10.5litre, 6 cylinder turbo diesel engines, the new recovery vehicles will be a powerful replacement for the existing Foden fleet. They are fully compliant with the latest emissions legislation (Euro 4) without the need for fuel additives, and can also operate, without preparation, on aviation fuel. The vehicle has an 8×8 wheel drive and self levelling suspension to negotiate rough terrain. The vehicle can be fitted with appliqué armor packs to protect the crew from ballistic and blast threat. It also comes ready for a BOWMAN radio installation. The recovery mission equipment includes cranes and winches, designed by ECA based in Gerrads cross, London. It is manufactured and bolted to the main chassis by Atlas Terex, based in Motherwell, Scotland. The new recovery vehicle is capable of lifting 15 tons at a distance of 2.3 meters, and can tow a 44 ton vehicle.

The procurement of the heavy recovery vehicles and trailers is part of a £1.3Bn Support Vehicle (SV) procurement program designed to modernize the Army’s logistical backbone with 7,285 new trucks and utility vehicles. Under this program all military branches will receive a common cargo and recovery platform that will increase the military materiel lift/distribution and recovery capability. The program is procuring a fleet of vehicles consisting of 42 variants but effectively based around the Light, Medium and Heavy Cargo Vehicles (6, 9 and 15 ton respectively), the 7,000 litre Unit Support Tanker, the Recovery Vehicle and the Recovery trailer. These vehicles will replace the in-service 4, 8 and 14 ton cargo vehicles and the 3 in-service recovery vehicle types.

An armored version of the vehicle was displayed at the UOR demonstration in September, 2008. (photo above)

The British Army will soon deploy new heavy recovery vehicles and trailers based on the 32 ton truck produced by MAN Truck & Bus UK Ltd.. Photo: British MOD
The trucks' The recovery mission equipment includes cranes and winches, designed by ECA based in Gerrads cross, London. It is manufactured and bolted to the main chassis by Atlas Terex, based in Motherwell, Scotland. The new recovery vehicle is capable of lifting 15 tons at a distance of 2.3 meters, and can tow a 44 ton vehicle. Photo: MOD Crown Copywrite

AeroVironment Awarded 7.7 Million Contract to Supply Ravens to the Dutch Army

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May 30, 2008

The Netherlands Ministry of Defence awarded AeroVironment (Nasdaq: AVAV) a $7.7 million contract for RQ-11B (Raven) small unmanned aircraft systems. The order includes new aircraft systems as well as training, logistics support, and airworthiness certification. and is fully funded.

“We performed a thorough competitive selection process and the Raven came out as a clear winner,” said Frans Klein, Head Section Unmanned Aircrafts for The Netherlands Defense Materiel Organisation. “Decisive elements in the selection were hand-launchability, reliability, ease of use, robustness, and proven, in-theatre operational performance.” The Dutch selection of Raven continues AeroVironment’s international success in marketing its small UAVs, following the enthusiastic endorsement of the systems by the US Army and Marine Corps. Other international armies that acquired Ravens sofar include Italy, Denmark, Australia and Spain.

The US Army to Acquire 35,000 M-26 Rifle/Shotgun

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May 30, 2008

The U.S. Army plans to acquire 35,000 M-26 Modular Accessory Shotgun System (MASS) – a combined Rifle/Shotgun weapon to be deployed in the next fiscal year (FY09). M-26 MASS will improve operational capabilities and reduce the combat load of infantry, special operations and military police units. M-26 is a 12 gauge MASS, attached to the standard M-4 or M-16 just as the M-203 rifle grenade does. The weapon is expected to reduce the number of weapons an infantry unit or a special forces team has to carry. The new combination rifle/shotgun has a collapsible butt stock for use as a stand-alone weapon.

“Right now if a Soldier wants to use a shotgun, he uses a shotgun and slings his rifle and when he uses his rifle he has to sling the shotgun and then get out the rifle,” said Maj. Lawrence Dring, assistant program manager for individual weapons at Picatinny Arsenal, N.J. “With the M-26, it’s an all-in-one piece. It has a door-breaching attachment which goes flush against a door lock and allows the 12-guage shell to blow the lock off a door and the Soldier to room clear without changing weapons.” To further assist breeching capabilities, the Army is fielding the specialized GREM rifle grenade, designed to knock down doors from a safe distance.

The M-26 can also be used in non-lethal operations by using rubber buckshot or slugs in the shotgun while the rifle or carbine carries live rounds. This way if the situation changes and becomes deadly for Soldiers, they can place their primary weapon on “fire” mode.

Another weapon currently under development is XM-25 Individual Airburst Weapon System (IAWS). The futuristic-looking weapon will employ several types of ammunitions, including an airburst round, capable of defeating targets under cover (defilade targets – those targets protected by obstacles such as walls, hills or ridges). The lightweight weapon weighs only 2.5 pound, as it is constructed of composite materials. The weapon will include an integrated target acquisition/fire control system integrating a thermal sight, direct-view optics, laser rangefinder, compass, fuze setter, ballistic computer and an internal display.

The weapon will fire a range of 25mm munitions that include high-explosive airburst, armor-piercing, anti-personnel, non-lethal, training and breaching rounds, a soldier will use the weapon by simply placing the aim point on the target and activate the laser rangefinder. The fire control system will then provide an adjusted aim point that the soldier adjusts for distance. The range data is communicated to the round which when fired will explode over the target at a precise programmed distance. The Army expects the XM-25 to be fielded by 2013.

The two weapons were displayed by the Army on Capitol Hill in May 2008, demonstrating to lawmakers what the Army plans to field next year.

US Army Needs Combat Suites to Equip an Entire Brigade by 2009

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May 30, 2008

The U.S. Army is seeking to equip an entire brigade combat team with infantry combat suites. The Army recently approved an Operational Needs Statement to field the Land Warrior system to the 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, in 2009.

Land Warrior systems developed by General Dynamics Command & Control systems were fielded in 2007 in Iraq, with the deployment of the 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment. Facing the challenges of asymmetric warfare in theater, Land Warrior contributed to the battalion’s success and prompted other units to ask for these capabilities. The system provided enhanced unit’s capabilities to fight and sustain asymmetric warfare operations, as well as improved security and effectiveness of security and stability operations. Key attributes for the system’s success were improved situational awareness, and the ability to command and control small combat elements, providing more economical and effective use of limited forces.

Land Warrior is a modular fighting system that uses state-of-the-art computer, communications, and global positioning technologies to digitally link Soldiers on the battlefield. The system is integrated with the Soldier’s body armor and has a helmet-mounted display.

Soldiers wearing the Land Warrior system are provided with an updated situational awareness picture while dismounted from their vehicles – a common feature in computer wargames but sofar unavailable to the infantry leader. It allows them to see all friendly forces that are in their area of operations. They can tap into detailed maps, execution checklists, and other mission-essential information stored by the system. The system can store more than 600 images including photographs of targets and locations. In addition the system supports voice and text messaging. The Soldier views the maps and imagery through the helmet-mounted display, which is pulled down over one eye when needed. Each Soldier wearing the system is represented by an icon on the map. Using drop-down menus, team leaders and commanders can place virtual icons, or virtual “chem lights” onto a map identifying known enemy locations or other essential information. The system allows leaders to quickly relay information in the middle of a mission.

DGCS Progresses Toward Network Centric Reality

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May 30, 2008

Raytheon Company (NYSE:RTN) has been awarded a U.S. Air Force contract to continue evolving the Distributed Common Ground System (DCGS) Integration Backbone (DIB), a web-based system facilitating the sharing of near real-time, actionable intelligence information among warfighters. DIB 1.3, also known as the ‘next-generation DIB’, will improve the system’s ability to use and share commercial computing technologies.

Under the roadmap developed by Rayteon for the DIB, version 1.3 will integrate the latest commercial products with Solaris 10, Oracle 10g and Weblogic 10 software infrastructure applications. The software will enable need-to-know capabilities, security domain federation, network-centric enterprise services security, automatic discovery and federation of DIBs. The system upgrade will also address unique U.S. Air Force, Army and Navy requirements.

DIB was launched as the infrastructure of Raytheon’s DCGS 10.2 which recently passed factory acceptance testing at the company’s facility. During the test, a series of on-site evaluations was conducted with representatives from the U.S. Air Force exercising the system and evaluating the results. In the next phase, Raytheon will deliver the DCGS 10.2 system to the first of several planned core sites, DGS-2 at Beale Air Force Base, Calif. There Raytheon will complete installation, integration and checkout in preparation for the site acceptance testing. When fully fielded, DCGS Block 10.2 will be a worldwide distributed, network centric enterprise architecture that enables collaborative intelligence operations and production. Its environment provides for both the physical and electronic distribution of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance data analysis and tools.

Raytheon’s DCGS 10.2 upgrade will be capable of continuous on-demand intelligence brokering that will enable U.S. and coalition forces to get the information they need to take action and influence events in a significantly shorter amount of time.

SAMP/T Air defense Missile Tested During Operational Capability Evaluation

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May 30, 2008

The Italian Army has successfully conducted two test firings of its Aster 30 missile as part of the operational evaluation of the SAMP/T air defence missile system. Both trials were declared as ‘total success’ with the complete range of test objectives achieved. The test series was conducted as part of the Acceptance Test of Operational Capabilities (ATOC) that the Italian Army and the French Army and Air Force are conducting throughout 2008.

The first test was conducted on 22nd May 2008 where the Aster 30 missile was launched against a Mirach 100 aerial target flying at low altitude at approximately 150 metres. The system correctly tracked the target at a range of 25 km from the battery and intercepted it target within 15 km over the test range waters. Four days later, the second test challenged the missile with a more complex scenario, including a patrol of two Mirach 100 targets flying towards the SAMP/T system Flying Control Unit. Under the scenario, the system tracked the patrol, correctly identified the selected “attacking” target and intercepted it at 21km during its evasive manoeuvre.

The two firings were carried out by the army at the PISQ (Poligono Interforze Salto di Quirra) joint armed forces test range in Sardinia. For both firings, the full operational configuration of the SAMP/T weapon system was tested entirely autonomously by the Italian army unit. The system included an additional Command Module to manage the system deployment and the links with the upper defence network.

SAMP/T, a land-based air defence system, incorporates the MBDA ASTER 30 missile, designed to protect land forces and sensitive sites and zones from conventional threats such as aircraft, UAV’s, helicopters and the new generation of stand-off missiles and short range ballistic missiles.

AeroVironment to fly a 10 gram Nano Air Vehicle demonstrator

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May 28, 2008

AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV) is proceeding with the development of Nano Aerial vehicles (NANO), with the receipt of $636,000 follow-on (Phase II) award from DARPA. The award funds the design, building and flying of a Nano Air Vehicle prototype weighing about 10 grams. AV’s NAV is designed to be able to carry a payload of up to 2 grams.

According to plans, the six month program will culminate with a flight demonstration of a rudimentary, three-inch flapping-wing air vehicle system. If proven successful, DARPA has the option to extend the program for an additional 18 months which could increase the Phase II contract value.

The NAV program was initiated by DARPA to develop a new class of air vehicles capable of indoor and outdoor operations. Employing biological mimicry at an extremely small scale this unconventional aircraft is designed to provide new military reconnaissance capabilities in urban environments. Other companies developing NAV systems under this program are Draper and Lockheed Martin

“The NAV program represents the early development of a revolutionary new class of UAS that could eventually provide valuable new capabilities to our customers” said John Grabowsky, AV executive vice president and general manager of unmanned aircraft systems. According Grabowsky, the Raven and Wasp III UAS currently deployed wit Army, Marines and Special Forces began as early development programs similar to the NAV program. The United States Army reported that its Ravens were flown for approximately 150,000 combat hours in 2007.

Lockheed Martin Successful in First SCALPEL Flight Test

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May 28, 2008

Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) successfully conducted the first SCALPEL weapon system release in a recent flight test from AV-8B Harriers at the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division China Lake test range in California. This was the first in a series of tests as part of the U.S. Navy/Marine Corps/Lockheed Martin demonstration flight test program.

SCALPEL is a small weapon system that offers precision engagement while minimizing the potential for collateral damage in close air support and urban environments. It is a spiral development program incorporating the existing Enhanced Laser Guided Training Round airframe, minimal aircraft integration costs and development efforts, low technical and schedule risks, and affordable unit cost. SCALPEL can be employed on F-16, F/A-18, AV-8B, medium and large UAV aircraft, and other domestic and international aircraft platforms.

During the three tests, three inert SCALPEL weapons were captive-carried and released from two AV-8B Harriers from the U.S. Navy’s Air Test & Evaluation Squadron VX-31. The weapons were released from various altitudes and distances from their targets, demonstrating the range and accuracy of the system. The enhanced seeker accurately guided each SCALPEL to its target, and the advanced guidance and control system consistently demonstrated its precision. The next phase of the flight test program will demonstrate the warhead lethality and limited collateral damage.

“We successfully demonstrated the capability of our next-generation seeker with a number of first-time events in this mission and are very pleased with its demonstrated performance,” said Joe Serra, Precision Guided Systems senior program manager at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “Our team is now focusing on the next development phases including warhead effectiveness demonstrations, in order to provide this critical precision-strike capability to our Warfighters.”

Another precision weapon recently tested was the Paveway II Dual Mode Laser Guided Bomb. A test team with the U.S. Air Forces’ 658th Aeronautical Systems Squadron completed the first Global Positioning System guided weapons release from an MQ-9 Reaper May 13 at the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division at China Lake, Calif. The weapon used was the Air Force’ new GBU-49 500 lb guided weapon. The GBU-49 provides the war fighter an all-weather capability to employ munitions with high precision without the aid of a laser designator. A total of six weapons were dropped during the test. Two inert weapons, three GPS guided and a single laser guided bomb.

Two GBU-49 500 lb guided bombs fitted with Lockheed Martin's GPS Enhanced Laser Guidance kit , loaded on a US Air Force MQ-9 Reaper (Predator B) prior to a test flight carried out in May 2008. Photo: USAF.

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