This entry was posted
on Friday, January 8th, 2010 at 3:29 pm and is filed under Uncategorized.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
Both comments and pings are currently closed.
U.S. Navy enhances flechette warhead for Marine helicopters
| *** ads by SatPRnews *** |
Contact: phone +48 22 630 70 70 |
| *** ads by SatPRnews *** |
The Department of the U.S. Navy is increasing capability of existing rocket systems with the recent introduction of a flechette warhead for use by Marine Corps’ helicopters in Afghanistan.
This is the first time the Navy has produced a new flechette warhead since the Vietnam Era.
Engineers from PMA-242, the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head division, and industry partner General Dynamics are responsible for designing the 149 Mod 0 Flechette Warhead.
General Dynamic’s integration of a new fuse into an Army 2.75 inch flechette warhead increases the capability and compatibility of the weapon with Marine Corps’ helicopters. The 2.75 inch Rocket System Flechette warheads are being used by AH-1W and UH-1N helicopters in theater.
The 149 Mod 0 Flechette warhead is three times the size of the old variant for each individual dart. The new flechette is comparable to a 5.56 millimeter round with regard to weight and velocity and impacts a larger area of ground compared to high explosive rockets.
Flechette warheads are used against personnel and light armored targets. They effect targets with kinetic energy and there are no high explosive or chemical reactions.
PMA-242 is responsible for the acquisition, development, and sustainment of direct and time sensitive strike weapon programs.