Matra BAe Dynamics has carried out two successful test firings from a Lockheed Martin F-16 of the Advanced Short-Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM) at the USAir Force's Eglin AFB, Florida.
The first firing was the final dispersion round in the ASRAAM trials programme, which was completed on 20 September. The second, on 23 October, was at a fully telemetered round with the warhead removed, the purpose of which was to gather performance data from the imaging-infra-red-seeker up to the "end game", or point of target engagement.
The purpose of the final dispersion firing, known as DE4, was to gather vibration and seeker-dome heating data, and to check safe launch and separation at higher aircraft speeds.
The missile was launched at Mach 1.6 and high altitude, as planned. The firing produced good telemetry data. Detailed analysis has shown that the trial was a success, marking what the company describes as "a major step in the ASRAAM programme".
The second firing (designated F4) was against a McDonnell Douglas QF-4 Phantom drone. The aim of this test was to check the flight profile and tracking performance with the latest standard of software and to gather data on seeker performance in free flight to the end game.
A fully telemetered missile was used for evaluation purposes, which necessitated removal of the warhead. Initial assessment of the trials data shows that all the primary and secondary objectives were achieved. The missile passed within lethal distance of the target.
Source: Flight International
