Apr 06, 2012, post by Artur Nowak
Raytheon Company’s (NYSE: RTN) Small Tactical Munition Phase II scored a direct hit on a target during the weapon’s first guided flight test.
“STM Phase II is ideally suited to weaponize Shadow-class unmanned aircraft systems and counterinsurgency aircraft because STM is a mature, precise and affordable weapon,” said Dr. Thomas R. Bussing, vice president of Advanced Missiles and Unmanned Systems for Raytheon Missile Systems. “STM gives warfighters flexibility because it enables them to engage moving and static targets with minimal collateral damage.”
During the February test at Yuma Proving Ground, Ariz., a Raytheon Cobra unmanned aircraft system released the STM Phase II in flight. After safely separating from the UAS, the weapon used both GPS/INS and semi-active laser to guide to the target.
About Small Tactical Munition
STM Phase II is a new 13.5-pound, 22-inch long, precision-guided, gravity-dropped bomb specifically designed for employment from manned and unmanned aircraft systems.
STM Phase II is more than 2 inches shorter than the Phase I design and has foldable fins and wings, enabling two weapons to be placed inside the U.S. military’s common launch tube. STM Phase II’s modular assembly will make the system simpler to manufacture on a large scale.
Key Points
•At 13.5 pounds and 22 inches, STM is the smallest air-launched weapon in the Raytheon portfolio.
•Has both GPS/INS and digital semi-active laser guidance.
•Small enough to be employed from the U.S. military’s common launch tube.
About Raytheon
Raytheon Company, with 2011 sales of $25 billion, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 90 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as a broad range of mission support services. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 71,000 people worldwide. For more about Raytheon, visit us at www.raytheon.com and follow us on Twitter at @raytheon.
Apr 04, 2012, post by Artur Nowak
Northrop Grumman Corporation’s (NYSE:NOC) Laser Systems business unit announced that its All Semiconductor Airborne Laser Threat Terminator (ASALTT™) infrared countermeasure (IRCM) laser system has advanced to Technology Readiness Level 6 (TRL-6), a government measurement system that includes nine levels.
TRL-6 represents a successful system/subsystem model or prototype demonstration in a relevant environment. Following numerous environmental and field tests held at its Apopka facility and various sites throughout the country, the ASALTT™ system successfully passed a series of thermal, shock, vibration and other field tests equivalent to 2,500 hours of field use conducted in accordance with military standard 810G. In addition, the ASALTT™ met all performance specifications for multiple IRCM platforms including the UH-60, C-17 and C-130 aircraft.
The ASALTT™ is an advanced technology quantum cascade laser-based mid-infrared laser designed and developed to protect a wide variety of aircraft including fixed-wing and rotor aircraft, whether based on land or at sea.
The system was designed using “MOSA Inside™,” a modular open systems approach (MOSA) to interior hardware and software that allows great flexibility for upgrades. The MOSA Inside™ architecture provides for a single laser output, using the best technologies available from laser diodes, interband cavity lasers, quantum cascade lasers, fiber and more traditional laser sources from the ultraviolet through long-wave infrared bands.
“With field-proven capability, and the TRL-6 maturity, ASALTT™ is ready for integration into the next generation of aircraft-deployed counter-MANPADS systems,” said Gordon Stewart, vice president and general manager of Northrop Grumman Laser Systems. “We are confident that ASALTT™ is ready to support flight testing and will greatly enhance IRCM system effectiveness, performance and protection of the warfighter.”
Northrop Grumman Laser Systems has delivered more than 25,000 Electro-Optic (EO) laser systems units and is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of military EO targeting systems. These include ground-based (man-portable, handheld and vehicle-mounted) EO imaging/ranging systems for target location, laser designators/markers for precise guidance of smart munitions, and airborne laser rangefinders and designators fielded onboard many of the world’s most sophisticated manned and unmanned aircraft.
Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide. Please visit www.northropgrumman.com for more information.
Aug 24, 2011, post by Artur Nowak
Globecomm Systems Inc., a leading global provider of communications solutions and services, today announced the launch of its next generation Auto-Explorer™ 1.2 Meter Multi Band Lightweight Transport (LT) Terminal. This new satellite communications terminal utilizes integrated carbon fiber technology and reduced components weight, making it a lightweight alternative to Globecomm’s existing 1.2 Meter Auto-Explorer™ terminal.
The LT is fully IATA compliant for checked airline baggage. It offers a three transport case solution – each case weighing less than 70 pounds. The versatile, auto-aligning VSAT antenna uses band-specific feed cartridges with integrated RF electronics to enable quick and simple frequency conversion in the field from X to Ku to Ka satellite bands, and supports several OEM L-band modem products from Comtech, iDirect, Hughes and Viasat.
Available in single, dual or tri-band configurations, it supports voice, fax, data, video, Internet and LAN-to-LAN connections. Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) certification of this new terminal is in process and scheduled for completion by December 31, 2011.
Michael Plourde, Vice President Government Programs for Globecomm, said: “The new Auto-Explorer ™ 1.2 Meter Multi Band LT terminal offers mission-adaptable communications in an IATA transport configuration. This terminal product packs out in less weight than our existing 0.77m Auto Explorer ™ system, with much improved system performance. Simply put… more bandwidth throughput with less weight to carry. Our LT design combines high data throughput with easier mobility for the warfighter and represents a significant addition to Globecomm’s product line of portable terminals.”
