Graham Warwick/WASHINGTON DC
The US Air Force is preparing to award contracts to demonstrate a powered development of the Low-Cost Autonomous Attack System (LOCAAS), after successful research flights with the original unpowered version of the self-guided mini-missile.
In the third and final flight of the unpowered LOCAAS, built by Lockheed Martin Vought Systems, the guided test vehicle was released from a Cessna 421 at a range of 1.8km (1 mile), and selected a Scud launcher from an array of tank targets. Had it carried a warhead, the missile would have scored a direct hit, the company says. The LOCAAS has a combined laser-radar seeker and autonomous target recognition system.
The three flights were conducted under a risk-reduction effort begun in 1990. The USAF now plans a four-year advanced technology demonstration of the powered LOCAAS. The service plans to award up to two Phase 1 contracts in December, then select one contractor at the end of 1999 for a three-phase programme leading to three guided test flights in 2002.
LOCAAS programme manager Maj Mark Hunter says an operational weapon could be fielded by 2007. The powered version will have a range of 185km and four will fit inside a standard air-dropped tactical munitions dispenser.
Source: Flight International