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 Raytheon
unveiled new details about the
Precision Attack, Air-to-Surface Missile (PASSM), under
development addressing future requirements for airborne multi-sensor
precision attack weapon designed against a target set including
armored vehicles and buildings, hardened bunkers and small naval
targets. PASSM will use the current Hellfire rail launchers,
enabling simple integration with AH-64 Apache and Longbow and
Super Cobra attack helicopters and MH-60B naval helicopters.
The missile will be equipped with the tri-mode seeker technology
developed by Raytheon for the JCM
and PAM program, enabling
fully autonomous engagement as well as laser designation capability.
Each missile will be fitted with a radio, establishing itself
as a "node" on the battlefield network. This capability
will enable it to receive targeting from multiple on-board and
remote sources.
Non Line Of-Sight
Launch Systems (NLOS-LS) was also displayed, as part of
the NLOS weapon system which is expected to provide the core
precision attack capability to the FCS BCT. NLOS is expected
to "spiral out" of the FCS program in "spin-out
1" phase to accelerate its deployment with current forces.
When employed with current forces NLOS-LS will be tasked by
the Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS) for
targeting and control. Other anti-tank weapon displayed here
included the Compact
Kinetic Energy Missile (CKEM) and two versions of the Medium
Range Munition, extending the range of 120mm
tank guns.
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Urban Assault
Weapons
Upgrade for the veteran TOW
II missiles are underway. Raytheon is currently promoting
a Bunker-Buster version of the TOW, which recently "spiraled
out" of the TOW program. TOW missiles are undergoing improvements
that will maintain them in service through 2025. The TOW Bunker
Buster uses a fragmentation high-explosive bulk charge to breach
up to 8 inches (20.3cm) of double-reinforced concrete walls
and destroy fortified targets in complex urban terrain.
The Hellfire AGM-114K
anti-tank version has also been modified to improve its fragmentation
capability, when engaging soft targets. The Mod-K modification,
pursued by Dynetics for the Aviation & Missiles R&D
and Evaluation Center, included the installation of a fragmentation
sleeve placed around the shaped charge, optimizing fragment
lethality against a broad target set, while minimizing degradation
of shaped charge performance.
Much smaller, but with potential to be most effective, is the
lightweight Urban
Assault Weapon (UAW) was displayed by Qinetiq. The company
conducted extensive research evaluating various shoulder launched
weapon concepts, designed to provide infantry troops an effective
urban engagement capability. Qinetiq designed their UAW concept
to be lightweight (less than 17.6 lbs (8 kg) but capable to
provide multiple effects from a single munition, defeating bunkers,
buildings or light armored vehicles.
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