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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 weapons 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.
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It will use the Hellfire's M299 launcher but will offer electro-optical
(EO) based "fire and forget" capability, providing
pilots the advantage of extending stand-off engagement range
of 20 km, well beyond the range of short range air defenses.
The missile will be equipped with the tri-mode seeker technology
developed by Raytheon for the Joint Common Missile (JCM) and
Precision Attack Missile (PAM) program, enabling fully autonomous
engagement as well as laser designation capability. The seeker
is designed for lock-on after launch to optimize long range
lethality for attack helicopters.
The missile length is expected to be 63-66 inch, weighing 115-120
pounds. The diameter will be 7 inch multi-mode seeker developed
under a U.S. Army system design demonstration (SDD) program.
The missile shares much of the technologies developed for the
Precision Attack Missile. 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. A new motor will
be used, to reduce flight time and increase range. Motor modularity
will enable propulsion improvements as part of the missile's
life cycle.
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