Manufacturer secures funding to adapt Sidewinder missile sensors into cheaper, lighter aircraft self-protection system

Raytheon has won US Navy funding to adapt AIM-9X Sidewinder missile components into a dramatically cheaper and lighter anti-missile system for potential use on the Bell AH-1W/Z Cobra fleet.

The "Scorpion" project is aimed at challenging a laser-based countermeasures market dominated by two products that have cost, weight and reliability concerns for several programmes.

The Northrop Grumman AAQ-24 directional infrared countermeasures (DIRCM) system and the BAE Systems ALQ-212 advanced threat infrared countermeasures (ATIRCM) are understood to cost more than $2 million an aircraft, and weigh about 115kg (250lb).

USN officials believe the Scorpion project has the potential to deliver a 45kg system for less than $500,000 an aircraft. With thousands of military and commercial aircraft potentially in the market for a low-cost, reliable self-protection system, Raytheon chief executive Bill Swanson has cited Scorpion as a key technology for the company's future.

So far, Naval Air Systems Command has pledged $8 million to fund a three-year demonstration effort that matches a similar financial investment made by Raytheon, says Capt Dwight Cousins, programme manager for advanced tactical aircraft systems.

If successful, Scorpion would be installed after 2008 on the AH-1Z Super Cobra, the navy's only tactical aircraft deemed too small to justify the weight penalty and cost of existing DIRCM systems.

Cousins adds, however, that a proven Scorpion technology will be an attractive option for virtually all navy helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft.

The USN is involved in a joint acquisition programme with the US Army to field ATIRCM systems on all combat support and attack helicopters, except for the AH-1. A similar requirement for the USN's fixed-wing inventory is expected to be launched in 2008.

Scorpion works by linking a missile warning system (MWS) to a gimballed IR sensor and processor card adapted from the AIM-9X missile. A laser is attached to the seeker. The MWS detects the missile launch and hands off a rough track to the AIM-9X-derived seeker, which refines the target track and triggers the laser.

Anticipated cost-savings are largely driven from re-using an existing line that produces thousands of AIM-9X missiles.

STEPHEN TRIMBLE / WASHINGTON DC

Source: Flight International