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An integral part of the Army's Future Combat Systems,
LAM and its laser detection and ranging
(LADAR) seeker
have been successfully demonstrated under previous Defense Advanced
Research Projects Agency's
NLOS-LS (Netfires)
and U.S. Air Force's Low-Cost Autonomous Attack
(LOCAAS) programs, and will be interoperable with the current as
well as future forces.
LAM is an expendable loitering
hunter-killer sensor/weapon. It will be about 60 inches long and
weigh less than 120 pounds. LAM will be equipped with laser radar
seeker and have automatic target recognition and classification
algorithms. Equipped with a micro turbojet engine and large wings,
it will be designed for missions of up to 30 minute duration, most
of the time will be spent loitering over the target area, in a
searching pattern, providing continuous target intelligence from a
distance of 70 kilometers from the launch point. LAM can be
employed as a target-acquirer, and is able to scan, identify, report
and isolate all targets encountered throughout its flight path with
extreme reliability, thus increasing the warfighter's knowledge of
the battlefield. And by screening all the imagery on board the
munition via the target recognizer, only the relevant data is sent
back to the operator. Thus LAM sends back an occasional 'chiplet' of
relevant target data information the operator assessment.
As a hunter
killer sensor/weapon LAM has a dual mission – to search a wide
area for targets an relay their location back to the command
center, where these targets are engaged by direct attack
PAMs or
by other assets. Toward the end of its mission, or when a priority
target appears, the LAM itself can be directed to break off its
search and attack the target or any other target it is assigned by
the commanders.
The Non-Line-of-Sight - Launch System's LAM is a ground-launched,
canistered artillery missile capable of increasing the warfighter's
area of influence through hunter-killer flight operation, automatic
target recognition, and can report or attack target locations for
strike by other munitions.
News: LAM Warhead Testing
LAM conducted a series of tests, examining the performance of the
Explosively Formed Penetrator (EFP) warhead. The series included
first four-tests series in July, and a new series of five warhead
events to characterize lethality firing through the Loitering Attack
Missile's aerodynamic skins. All warhead events successfully
achieved required pattern and penetration with margin into armor
witness plates. Additional three warheads were expended in
insensitive munition (IM) screening. IM configuration enhancements
help minimize the probability of inadvertent detonation, helping
limit damage to the weapon platform, logistics systems or personnel
when a munition is subjected to unplanned events such as heat, shock
or impact.
The The Multiple Explosively Formed Penetrator (MEFP) warhead is
built by Aerojet-General Corporation. The MEFP will allow the LAM to
achieve a good balance for two key performance parameters, loiter
time and lethality, by optimizing fuel load with warhead size. The
wareahd weighs under seven-pound MEFP and is configured to deliver
24 fragments in an expanding geometric pattern. The recent tests
demonstrated the penetration of mild steel targets, enabling LAM to
adjust the altitude of attack and aim point to optimize fragment
impact of targets, for precision effects and minimum collateral
damage. LAM warhead is considered for attack against ground based
and naval targets. The new LAM design accommodates the present
warhead also allowing for additional fuel for longer loitering time.
(January 9, 2006)
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