Boeing is negotiating the final terms of a $121 million development deal with the US Navy that will add an autonomous targeting capability to its Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) franchise.
Called the Hornet Real-time Targeting (HART) system, the navy first plans to deploy the kit on JDAMs carried by F/A-18E/Fs, but the capability will be available for other strike platforms. "Any aircraft with [synthetic aperture radar] imagery could use this type of system," says Boeing JDAM programme manager Rick Heerdt.
The HART system, costing about the same as the $20,000 JDAM navigation tail kit, contains image-matching software and an infrared sensor. The Super Hornet's active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar would capture an image of the target and feed it to a HART-equipped 230kg (500lb) JDAM while on board the aircraft. Upon release, that image is compared with the HART sensor's view of the target, enhancing precision to about that of a laser-guided weapon.
Heerdt says the autonomous targeting capability was removed from the original F/A-18E/F specifications. The navy revived the effort, but pared a plan last summer to fund integration of both AESA and advanced targeting forward looking infrared (ATFLIR) systems. Another dropped requirement would have provided HART systems for 900kg BLU-109 penetrator bombs.
The development contract is expected to be finalised in February, and low-rate initial production of 600 bombs would begin two years later. About 6,000 HART-equipped JDAMs are expected to be produced for the Super Hornet.
Source: Flight International
