NASHVILLE, Tenn.— Raytheon [RTN] revealed more rocket motor details and Lockheed Martin[LMT] unveiled results of tri-mode seeker tests detailing more of their competing solutions to the Army’s Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) missile program here at the Army Aviation Association of America annual conference.
Representatives from Lockheed Martin said they recently tested the tri-mode seeker in high-speed captive flight tests on a Sabreliner jet at Yuma Proving Ground, Ariz., demonstrating the seeker capability on a fixed-wing aircraft.
One of the initial six platforms the Army wants JAGM on is the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet aircraft.
Lockheed Martin funded the high-speed tests that validated the maximum ranges or the imaging infrared and semi-active laser at speeds close to 400 knots and at a 20,000-foot altitude.
The data collected in the two seeker modes was of representative urban and vehicle targets at ranges exceeding threshold target range requirements.
In an April 19 statement, Hady Mourad, JAGM program director at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, said: “We plan to conduct additional fixed-wing seeker tests in the near future against maritime surface combatants, and we expect the same robust performance.”
Both companies plan to respond by May 31 to the Request For Proposals released April 13 for engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) and low-rate initial production for the Army’s next generation air to surface missile (Defense Daily, April 15). JAGM is expected to replace Hellfire, Maverick and airborne TOW missiles for the Army, Navy and Marines.
Raytheon officials said they delivered eight EMD rocket motors to the Army for testing in Huntsville, Ala. ATK [ATK] is developing the motor.
The motor must withstand rotary-wing flight and temperatures that could hit minus 65 degrees Fahrenheit as experienced by a Super Hornet or an unmanned aerial vehicle.
The Army has tested four of the motors, cycling them from low to high temperatures–the first motor was cycled five times, the second 10 times, the third 15 times and the fourth 20 times. All four were then fired off and “worked just fine,” J.R. Smith, business development manager for JAGM at Raytheon, told Defense Daily.
Another four rocket motors will be cycled and tested, this time to replicate loads and temperatures in regimes where the Super Hornet flies, and unmanned aerial systems linger.
The rocket motor also produces minimum smoke when fired from rotorcraft, something important for crew survivability said Michael Riley, Raytheon’s senior manager, business development for advanced missiles and unmanned systems.
Steve Sherrick, manager for business development for JAGM for Boeing, which is partnering with Raytheon, said the company funded a successful motor test after the completion of the technology development phase.
Both Raytheon and Lockheed Martin are now completing their proposals in advance of source selection.