Andrea Spinelli/GENOA
THE USA AND ITALY are discussing development of a stealthy next-generation standoff missile, dubbed the Ulisee, drawing on technology from the Italian navy's Teseo 3 anti-ship-missile project. A decision on the venture is expected by the third quarter of this year.
US and Italian naval staff, have together drafted an operational requirement, as part of a joint expression-of-intent agreement, signed in November 1995.
The requirement is now undergoing a cost and operational-effectiveness analysis. If it survives this scrutiny, then both navies will sign a memorandum of agreement covering joint development of the missile. Another aim is to provide the Italian air force with a standoff missile for its Panavia Tornados.
Each navy is looking at introducing the missile into service between 2003 and 2005. US Navy procurement of the Ulisee could be a possible alternative to further development of the McDonnell Douglas (MDC) SLAM-ER missile.
The US requirement is understood to cover ship- and air-launched variants of the standoff missile. Aircraft, which would carry the weapon, include Lockheed Martin P-3C Orions and MDC F-18s and AV-8Bs.
The Italian navy plans to install the missile on its maritime-patrol aircraft and AV-8Bs. The air force is considering adding the weapon to the Eurofighter EF2000 and the AMX, in addition to its Tornados.
The air-launched variant of the 700-800kg missile is to have a range of more than 300km (160nm). The range of the ship-launched variant, (which would have a sea-skimming flight profile) would be 250km. Proposed cruise speed is Mach 0.85, with a boost to Mach 0.95 in the final-attack phase.
Source: Flight International
