Above: RAFAEL Advanced Defense Systems' new vehicle-mounted Spike NLOS guided missile can strike targets with high precision from 15 miles. Photo: Rafael
Israel's Rafael Advanced Defense Systems has unveiled a, beyond-line-of-sight version of the Spike fiber-optical guided missile capable of attacking pinpoint targets at ranges of up to 15.5 miles (25 km). The new missile weighing 155 lbs (70 kg) is already operational with the customer believed to be the Israel Defense Forces. (read more...)
Iran tests an Upgraded Sejjil-2 Ballistic Missile
Iran has successfully tested today (16 December, 2009) an 'optimized' version of the solid-fuel Sejjil-2 ballistic missile. The recent test builds on the first successful launch conducted in May 2009. Iran has tested several combinations of propellant compounds to achieve reliable operation. Iranian sources indicate that the current missile has been configured to carry different warheads and uses stealth attributes ('anti-radar material coating'). (read more...)
The U.S. Navy test launched the Tomahawk Block IV cruise missile during an operational test November 5, 2009 evaluating the missile's new anti-jam GPS system and successful use against time-critical targets. The enhanced capabilities of the ship and submarine launched Tomahawk Block IV increase fleet effectiveness, with network enabled communication, battle damage imaging. (read more...)
The AIM-9X Sidewinder infrared-guided air-to-air missile could be used to attack surface targets. The company demonstrated this capability in a field test conducted on Sept. 23, 2009 as the AIM-9X fired from a U.S. Air Force F-16C fighter sank a rapidly moving target boat in the Gulf of Mexico. (read more...)
The XM-501 Non Line of Sight Launch System (NLOS-LS) recently completed a test flight of the Precision Attack Missile (PAM) using a live warhead. The missile was launched from the NLOS-LS container launch unit (CLU) and used its on-board, semi-active laser seeker to detect, lock on and destroy a stationary BM-21 rocket launcher at a range of 38 kilometers (23.5 statute miles). "The success of this test means we're only steps away from putting this capability in the hands of soldiers and sailors" Said Scott Speet, executive vice president of NetFires LLC and Raytheon's NLOS-LS program director. (read more...)
Boeing has recently announced successful, intercepts of multiple small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) by high power mobile laser weapon system. The tests, conducted back in May 2009 demonstrated the ability of mobile laser weapon systems to locate, track and destroy small aerial targets in flight. (read more...) In another test, Boeing has successfully demonstrated the use of the Laser Avenger air-defense system as a stand-off disruptor of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). During a field test held in September 2009 at the Redstone Army Arsenal in Huntsville, the system neutralized more than 50 IED and unexploded ordnance of different types, including large-caliber artillery munitions, smaller bomblets and mortar rounds. The test was sponsored by the U.S. Defense Department's Joint IED Defeat Organization (JIEDDO). (read more...)
MDA Could Deploy Airborne Infrared Sensors to Track Missiles
The U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is planning to develop an electro-optical Air-Borne Infra-Red (ABIR) sensor capable of tracking ballistic missile targets from extremely long range, detecting the intense heat exhaust of ballistic missiles before rocket burnout at the end of their boost phase. Data from such sensors is expected to be at a 'fire control resolution', to be relayed to intercepting weapons, such as GBM, THAAD, SM-3 interceptors, or airborne lasers. MDA would like to see such podded, turreted or open-cavity systems deployed on manned or unmanned aircraft by 2015.
RAM misile being tested on board the LCS-1 Freedom. Photo: Lockheed Martin
Raytheon successfully completed three instrumented test vehicle flights between of the Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) Block 2 missiles. The flights conducted between April and October 2009 were designed to demonstrate the system's upgraded kinematic capabilities. (read more...)
Alliant Techsystems (ATK) has been awarded a research and development contract for the Counter Air / Future Naval Capabilities (CA/FNC) program to develop technologies that can be incorporated into next generation air-to-air missile systems. The contract, worth nearly $10-million will fund a four year study by ATK, evaluating specific propulsion technologies considered for integration into the future missile systems. The study is oriented towards the 7-inch diameter currently used with the Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM). It will also be applicable to other air-to-air missile systems. (read more...)
JASSM-ER Completes Six Successful Test Flights
The Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile-Extended Range (JASSM-ER) AGM-158B successfully completed six successful flight demonstration tests at White Sands missile testing range in New Mexico. During the latest flight test, the missile was released from a B-1B aircraft and flew a preplanned course to collect data, to fine-tune navigation algorithms, and then destroyed the designated target
.
Russian Bulava Fails Again
Russian attempt to get the Bulava (SS-NX-30) submarine launch ballistic missile (SLBM) program back on track failed again yesterday (December 9, 2009) after the flight terminated over the White Sea in the Arctic Circle, short of the designated target. The recent test was Bulava's seventh failure of a total 12 launches. According to official reports from Moscow, the first two stages functioned smoothly, but the flight faltered at the third stage due to a technical failure that caused instability in the third stage engines. In July 2009 the program recorded another setback as the missile's first stage malfunctioned. Repeating failures have drawn much scrutiny and attention to the Bulava, but the Navy insists there is no alternative to the missile. The three-stabe submarine launched missile carries up to 10 MIRV warheads and has a range of over 8,000 kilometers (5,000 miles). Compared with the reliable track record of the mature Russian missile programs, such as the land-based RT-2PM Topol (SS-25 Sickle) ICBM and RSM-54 Sineva (SSN-23 Skiff) SLBM. Both misiles were launched after Bulava test failures.
THAAD Test Aborted After Target Failed
The U.S. Missile Defense Agency aborted a the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile test off the coast of Hawaii on Friday (December 11, 2009) after the target missile, dropped off a C-17 transport aircraft failed to ignite.
Indian Navy Tests the Dhanush Short-Range Ballistic Missile
India successfully test fired a nuclear-capable Dhanush ballistic missile from a naval ship off the coast of the Orissa state on Sunday, December 13, 2009. The missile has a range of 350 km and a payload capacity of 500 kg, capable of carrying both conventional and tactical-nuclear warheads. The is powered by liquid-propellant rocket and is believed to be a navalized version of India's Prithvi land based nuclear attack missile.
By the end of 2009 Russia is planning to strengthen its Strategic Missile Forces (SMF) with a second regiment equipped with mobile Topol-M (SS-27 Stalin) missile systems. Topol-M is the land-based component of the Russian nuclear triad. To date the Russian Topol-M inventory included 50 silo-based and six road-mobile Topol-M missile systems. (read more...)
BAE Systems has entered the final phase of testing on its Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS), a technology that increases the accuracy and cost-effectiveness of airborne weapon systems. The tests seek to confirm the production readiness of the APKWS rocket and its ability to meet Navy and Marine Corps requirements, including safely launching from a helicopter, and reliably acquiring, tracking, and hitting laser-designated targets. (read more...). A competing team, ATK and Elbit Systems announced a successful flight test of GATR rocket, from a U.S. Army OH-58D Kiowa Warrior Helicopter. The team has already demonstrated the weapon on a an Israeli UH-60. (read more...)
Laser JDAM Integrated with German Tornados
EADS Defence & Security (DS) and the Bundeswehr Technical Centre WTD 61 jointly have successfully tested the Laser JDAM weapon (GBU-54/B) as part of the ongoing combat efficiency improvement programme ASSTA (Avionics Software System Tornado Ada) for the German Air Force Tornados. Currently in the third phase, the ASSTA program is being implemented with Tornado aircraft in service with Germany and Italy. The adaptation of the Laser JDAM for the Tornado makes the German Air Force the first export customer for the weapon, paving the way for future integration with German Air Force Eurofighters. (read more on Laser JDAM)
The British Ministry of Defense (MOD) is topping up the supplies of
FGM-148
Javelin shoulder-mounted guided missiles used by the British land forces in Afghanistan with 1,300 additional missiles. Javelins are used effectively in theater to engage enemy targets such as mortar compounds beyond the range of small arms and medium caliber direct-fire weapons. (read more...) More about the Javelin, the Hashemite kingdom of Jordan is also planning to buy 162 fire units and 1,800 missiles for about US$390 million. Jordan itself is offering a heavier guided missiles known as RPG-32 Hasim, developed under a cooperation with the Russian company Bazalt.
Above: The 45th FIRES Brigade conducts a live fire exercise at Ft. Sill, Okla., on June 11, 2009.
The system has recently demonstrated firing at ranges beyond 92 km. Photo: Sgt. 1st Class Kendall James, Oklahoma National Guard.
Lockheed Martin successfully fired a U.S. Army Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) rocket 92 kilometers in a recent test at White Sands Missile Range, NM. Typically the GMLRS is fired at targets 70 km and beyond. The extended range capability was tested as part of the systems' product improvement, demonstrating the weapon's maintains its high accuracy even at maximum extended range. (read more...)
Chile Requests the Boeing Avenger Air defense System
Chile is interested in buying the Boeing Avenger mobile air defense systems. According to an announcement by the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the proposed Chilean package includes 36 Fire Units mounted on HMMWV tactical vehicles, each carrying up to eight missiles. In total, Chile will receive 378 Stinger Reprogrammable Micro-Processor (RMP) Block 1 anti-aircraft missiles. The estimated cost of the total package is $455 million. .
This bluish trace seen over Northern Norway yesterday was left by the Bulava missile, as it spiraled out of control during its ascent. The spiraling flight could have been caused by a malfunctioned rocket nozzle. A similar problem was encountered 20 years ago during a test launch of the Trident SLBM.
Video below: A firing test of a Swedish RBS 57 BILL anti-tank missile fired from relatively short range, against a fully-armed moving tank target. Seconds after the tank suffers the top attack, the ammunition inside the tank begins to explode, leading to ammunition propellant catching fire and later, the ammunition blown off causing the catastrophic kill. An instant fire suppression system commonly used in modern tanks could help diminish the devastating effect.
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December 09
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Iran tests an Upgraded Sejjil-2 Ballistic Missile
Russian Bulava Fails Again
Indian Navy Tests the Dhanush Short-Range Ballistic Missile
Laser JDAM Integrated with German Tornados
Chile Requests the Boeing Avenger Air defense System
