https://www.twz.com/air/our-first-look- ... dium=email
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Sorry the picture quality is bad.
We now have our first glimpse of a mini-cruise missile U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) is currently developing and says is one of its top priorities. The weapon could be launched from AC-130J Ghostrider gunships and MC-130J Commando II special operations tanker/transport aircraft, and potentially other platforms. New stand-off strike capabilities like this are seen as key to ensuring the relevance of aircraft like the AC-130J and MC-130J in future high-end conflicts, such as a potential one in the Pacific against China.
The Stand-Off Precision Guided Weapon Program Cruise Missile notice also called for the system to "include, at threshold, an EO/IR [electro-optical/infrared] seeker and as an objective incorporate a multi-mode seeker package able to acquire and/or reacquire targets in flight." Furthermore, the weapon "at threshold... shall have a removable payload section that can accept 13lbs of warhead or other desired payload (objective of 37 lbs), compatibility with an X-Net radio, electric propulsion, and an INS/GPS (M-Code) capability."
Other "key attributes include the long range, data link connection to Situational Awareness Data Link (SADL) (threshold) and SADL/Link-16 (objective), resilient GPS/INS to work in a denied GPS environment, a sensor capable of identifying targets once over the target area, and a payload to effect the target," the notice added.
As described in the contracting notice three years ago, this small cruise missile would offer U.S. special operations aircraft, including AC-130Js and MC-130Js, a highly flexible stand-off strike capability against static and moving targets. The missile would also greatly outrange the existing weapons in what SOCOM calls its Stand-Off Precision-Guided Munitions (SOPGM) arsenal, at least that we know of.
This has possibilities.
Sorry the picture quality is bad.
We now have our first glimpse of a mini-cruise missile U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) is currently developing and says is one of its top priorities. The weapon could be launched from AC-130J Ghostrider gunships and MC-130J Commando II special operations tanker/transport aircraft, and potentially other platforms. New stand-off strike capabilities like this are seen as key to ensuring the relevance of aircraft like the AC-130J and MC-130J in future high-end conflicts, such as a potential one in the Pacific against China.
The Stand-Off Precision Guided Weapon Program Cruise Missile notice also called for the system to "include, at threshold, an EO/IR [electro-optical/infrared] seeker and as an objective incorporate a multi-mode seeker package able to acquire and/or reacquire targets in flight." Furthermore, the weapon "at threshold... shall have a removable payload section that can accept 13lbs of warhead or other desired payload (objective of 37 lbs), compatibility with an X-Net radio, electric propulsion, and an INS/GPS (M-Code) capability."
Other "key attributes include the long range, data link connection to Situational Awareness Data Link (SADL) (threshold) and SADL/Link-16 (objective), resilient GPS/INS to work in a denied GPS environment, a sensor capable of identifying targets once over the target area, and a payload to effect the target," the notice added.
As described in the contracting notice three years ago, this small cruise missile would offer U.S. special operations aircraft, including AC-130Js and MC-130Js, a highly flexible stand-off strike capability against static and moving targets. The missile would also greatly outrange the existing weapons in what SOCOM calls its Stand-Off Precision-Guided Munitions (SOPGM) arsenal, at least that we know of.
This has possibilities.
statistics: Posted by Rebcop — 3:50 AM - Today — Replies 0 — Views 41