The second flight test of the Brimstone anti-armour weapon was successfully conducted at the Yuma Proving Grounds, Arizona on 27 October.
This followed an initial successful test in August.
The primary objectives of the latest launch were to test missile flight control over speed and altitude conditions, demonstrate inertial navigation system ability, verify missile-body-to-seeker communication, prove seeker target acquisition and evaluate telemetry system performance.
Seeker target acquisition was verified by flying the missile over an array of real armoured targets, leading to the collection of valuable target recognition data. All objectives were successfully achieved.
The hardware involved in the mission included the Alenia Marconi Systems Brimstone missile with its advanced mmW seeker, and the Boeing-designed and manufactured Brimstone launcher.
Integrated
Alun Fishburne, Alenia Marconi Systems' Brimstone project director remarks: "This is the first time we have tested the integrated missile and seeker under actual missile free flight conditions. We are extremely pleased with the results which correlate well with the previous series of captive fast jet trials which took place earlier this year."
"We have accomplished two major programme milestones with the successful first launch in August and this flight test," says Paul Palagyi, Boeing's Brimstone programme manager.
"The next milestones will include three subsequent ground launches at Yuma Proving Grounds and a Tornado aircraft launch of a non-guided Brimstone missile in the United Kingdom."
The next ground launch is scheduled for later this month. The Brimstone programme continues with a consistent record of meeting all milestones on or ahead of schedule.
Source: Flight Daily News
