The UK’s ground-attack aircraft could gain the ability to strike moving targets following a successful demonstration at the China Lake weapons range in California. Staged in mid-November, the Qinetiq-managed trial involved the release of two Raytheon Systems Enhanced Paveway II GPS-guided bombs equipped with a Honeywell UHF radio and a lightweight Symetrics Industries integrated data modem from an unmodified Panavia Tornado GR4.
The weapons twice received targeting updates from the ground during flight via a two-way datalink using the variable message format protocol and successfully struck their intended targets. A future trial will test the system’s ability to attack a moving target by relaying positional updates around once a second, says Qinetiq.
CRAIG HOYLE/LONDON
Source: Flight International