US Cruise Missiles Thread

Development in the US of an inexpensive aircraft cruise missile Gray Wolf

On December 18 and 20, 2017, the US Department of Defense issued separate contracts valued at $ 110 million each from the US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) to Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, respectively, for the first stage of developing, on a competitive basis, a promising low-cost aviation cruise missile under the symbol Gray Wolf.



The contracts were issued on the basis of AFL's March 2017 requirements for "designing, developing, manufacturing and testing" prototypes of low-cost subsonic air cruise missiles that should use advanced network-centric communication technologies to combat "integrated air defense threats to the enemy in the face of strong opposition." Thus, the main purpose of these missiles is the destruction of enemy air defenses. The missiles should network-centrically interact with other weapons for joint massive use, mutual issue of target designation, etc.

The Gray Wolf program should include four stages of "spiral development" and should provide an opportunity to evaluate solutions using an open architecture and a modular layout that allow the rapid creation of prototypes and improve them in a "spiral development". The missiles must solve the tasks of not only defeating targets, but also surveillance and reconnaissance, electronic reconnaissance and EW.

For the AFRL competition, seven US companies submitted their proposals for this program, of which the two projects were chosen. According to the first stage contracts awarded, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman should, by the end of 2022 and the end of 2024, respectively, develop and test prototypes of their missiles on this topic. Earlier, under the budget of 2017, both corporations received $ 3 million for the initial stage of research under this program.

Testing of Gray Wolf missiles of the first stage should be conducted with Lockheed Martin F-16 fighters. In the future, the missile should be integrated into the armament of F-35, F-15, F-18, B-1, B-2 and B-52 aircraft.

https://bmpd.livejournal.com/3025983.html

US Air Force Centcom has confirmed that in addition to Tomahawks, the US fired off 19 JASSM standoff air-launched cruise missiles into Syria on Saturday. The deployment marked the first use of the $1.75 million apiece weapon, previously known for its development and reliability problems.

https://sputniknews.com/military/201804141063569652-jassm-missile-debut-in-syria/

The contract for the development of long-range JASSM-XR aircraft cruise missile

The US Department of Defense issued on September 10, 2018 to Lockheed Martin Corporation a contract worth $ 51.3 million to develop for the US Air Force a long-range JASSM-XR (Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile Extreme Range) missile, which should become an evolution of the in the arsenal of an airborne insignificant subsonic tactical cruise missile AGM-158 JASSM. The contract includes the development and ground and flight tests of the JASSM-XR missile with the completion of works by August 31, 2023.

The estimated firing range of the JASSM-XR missile is not disclosed, but previously Lockheed Martin claimed to be developing a modification of the JASSM missile with a range of about 1,000 land miles (1,625 km). The "basic" version of the AGM-158A missile, which has been in service with the US Air Force since 2009, has a officially declared firing range of 230 miles (370 km), and the AGM-158B JASSM-ER option, available from 2014, is "more than 575 miles" (that is, more than 925 km, for a number of unofficial sources - more than 1000 km).

According to the information of the American media, the increase in the range of the JASSM-XR missile will probably be achieved by increasing the fuel reserve for the missiles with an increase in the length of the fuselage, as a result of which, perhaps, this CD will be used only on strategic bombers of the US Air Force and will not be used by tactical aircraft aviation. In addition, it is suggested that the JASSM-XR will receive a new lighter warhead (now the JASSM / JASSM-ER is equipped with a 450-kg penetrating warhead WDU-42 / B).

https://bmpd.livejournal.com/3338604.html

Modernization of Tomahawk Block IV cruise missiles to the Block V variant

According to Richard Scott's Jane's Missiles & Rockets magazine, USN confirms design v for modernized Tomahawk cruise missile, the US Navy officially approved the Block V ("five") designation for new modifications of the sea-based Tomahawk missile in November 2018 , which will be obtained as a result of the program launched to modernize the available cruise missiles of the Tomahawk Block IV version family. In the Block V missiles, it is intended to retool all previously manufactured Block IV missiles by the US Armed Forces as part of the 1534 fiscal year program of extending their service life for 15 years, starting in the 2019 fiscal year.



Modernization of Tomahawk Block IV missiles into the Block V variant will be carried out by their manufacturer Raytheon Corporation in two modifications. The Block Va Index (designation RGM-109E / UGM-109E) will receive cruise missiles converted into the Maritime Strike Tomahawk (MST) variant, equipped with a new multi-channel guidance system for the possibility of hitting surface targets. Earlier in August 2017, the US Navy gave Raytheon a two-year contract of $ 119 million to develop the MST rocket. Prior to this, Raytheon reportedly spent $ 55 million of its own funds on MST R & D from 2012. Specific parameters and types of channels of the new homing head for MST are not disclosed, but presumably it will combine active and passive radar and thermal imaging homing channels in combination with a powerful data processor and a new unit of inertial guidance. Raytheon is supposed to deliver the first 32 missile upgrades to the Maritime Strike Tomahawk version in 2020 Fin; 50 sets - in 2021 FY, and 80 sets - in 2022 FY, with a total estimated cost of $ 457.9 million. The status of initial operational readiness (IOC) of the MST rocket is scheduled for the third quarter of 2022 FY for upgrading rockets on the Block Va variant in 2023 fin.

The Block Vb Index (designation RGM-109M / UGM-109M) will receive missiles that retain the main purpose for hitting ground targets and are equipped with a Joint Multiple Effects Warhead System (JMEWS), which also has enhanced high-explosive capabilities. JMEWS combines a cumulative precharge with a penetrating warhead. At the expense of the programmable single-purpose fuze, air or ground (non-penetrating) undermining of the warhead can also be provided. Testing and testing of the JMEWS warhead was carried out under a contract obtained by Raytheon in 2009, and in December 2017, the US Navy issued a contract to finalize JMEWS. Achievement of IOC Block Vb rockets with a JMEWS warhead is expected in Fin Fin 2022.

Also during the upgrade to the Block V level, repairs and partial replacement of elements of the airframe of missiles, antennas, electrical wiring and installation of a new module of data transmission equipment Integrated Single Box Solution will be carried out. It will also install a noise-proof GPS receiver GR5.

Now Raytheon has a contract issued in April 2018 for the supply of the US Navy by August 2020 of the last 100 Tomahawk Block IV missiles of the so-called 15th series (Lot 15) and more than their purchase is not planned in the near future. There is also an order to supply a batch of Tomahawk Block IV missiles to the British Navy. However, upgrading to Block V will help maintain the production line at Raytheon, which will allow you to quickly resume mass production of Tomahawk missiles (already in Block V variants) if necessary.

https://bmpd.livejournal.com/3527146.html

The contract to create an aviation tactical cruise missile JSOW-ER

According to the American media, the US Navy on February 7, 2019 decided to issue a contract to Raytheon Corporation to conduct full-scale development work on the Technology maturation risk-reduction (TMRR) and Engineering, manufacturing, and development (EMD) stages for the development of aviation tactical winged JSOW-ER (Joint Stand-Off Weapon - Extended Range) missiles, which should be an upgraded long-range version of the Air Force and the US Navy planning an AGM-154 JSOW (Joint Stand-Off Weapon) planning guided bomb. JSOW-ER missiles in service should be implemented "no later than 2023 fiscal year."


The first prototype of the promising US aviation tactical cruise missile Raytheon JSOW-ER (Joint Stand-Off Weapon - Extended Range), 2008 (c) Raytheon

The main difference between the JSOW-ER cruise missile and the existing versions of the AGM-154 JSOW planning bomb (engine devoid of nominally) should be equipped with a Hamilton Sundstrand TJ-150 compact turbojet engine (used on the Raytheon ADM-160 MALD aircraft false target). This will provide the JSOW-ER with a predetermined flight range of up to 250 nautical miles (463 km), with Raytheon announcing the possibility of achieving a range of 300 nautical miles (556 km). Now JSOW without an engine has a nominal maximum flight range of 63 miles (116 km) when dropped from high altitudes, and 12 miles (22 km) from low altitudes.

JSOW-ER must fully retain the fuselage, dimensions (length 2.69 m) and weight (468 kg) of the base JSOW rocket, but to accommodate the engine and fuel, the penetrating warhead mass will be reduced (now the warhead weighs on AGM-154С-1 JSOW 245 kg). The JSOW-ER missile (like the AGM-154С-1 JSOW) should be placed in the internal compartments of the fifth-generation F-35A and C fighters (the aircraft will carry two missiles). In the Navy and the US Marine Corps, the carrier JSOW-ER must be fighters Boeing F / A-18E / F.

The JSOW-ER guidance system should be similar to AGM-154C-1 JSOW Block III and include satellite inertial correction and infrared homing head type IIR, as well as Rockwell Collins TacNet 1.0 two-way data transmission equipment that uses Link 16 datalink and allows for targeting and re-targeting missiles in flight, as well as guidance to moving targets.

The AGM-154 JSOW family of guided munitions has been manufactured since 1999. The US Air Force purchased only 523 AGS-154A JSOW bombs in cluster equipment, and since 2004 they have withdrawn from the program, but the JSOW family is one of the main types of aviation precision weapons of the naval aviation and the US Marine Corps, and is actively being supplied to American allies. Creating a JSOW-ER will allow you to create a very compact aviation high-precision cruise missile of operational tactical range, much lighter than cruise missiles of the Lockheed Martin AGM-158 JASSM family (weighing more than 1000 kg, length 4.27 km). In this regard, it is believed that the United States Air Force will also resort to purchasing JSOW-ER missiles - first of all, to equip F-35A fighter jets).

Raytheon has previously led the development of JSOW-ER on a proactive basis since 2004, and has conducted flight tests of prototypes of this rocket since 2008. In 2017 and 2018, the US Navy issued two contracts to Raytheon for conducting JSOW-ER missile demonstration tests, and their results now resulted in a contract for full-scale development of the missile.

Previously, Raytheon also offered an enlarged version of the JSOW-XR turbojet with a claimed range of 900 km as a competition for the JASSM rocket.

https://bmpd.livejournal.com/3533400.html

Contract for the creation of a long-range anti-radar missile AGM-88G AARGM-ER

The command of the Naval Air Systems Command, a Naval Air Systems Command, on March 7, 2019, issued to Northrop Grumman a $ 322.505 million contract for full-scale development and testing (EMD) of the long-range anti-radar missile AGM-88G Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile - Extended Range (AARGM-ER). The missile must be integrated into the armament of the F/A-18E/F, EA-18G and F-35A/C aircraft (that is, it is being created in the interests of the US Air Force). Contract work must be completed by December 2023.


A model of the advanced Northrop Grumman AGM-88G Long Range (AARGM-ER) promising US aviation anti-radar missile with extended range (AARGM-ER) demonstrating the placement of the Lockheed Martin F-35A fighter armament in the internal weapons bay, 2017 Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems


The development of the long-range anti-radar missile AARGM-ER was launched in the interests of the US Navy back in 2015 by Orbital ATK, absorbed in 2018 by Northrop Grumman Corporation (and now forming the basis of its unit Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems), and is viewed by Americans as one of the promising means of countering the notorious "access restriction zones" (A2 / AD) of likely adversaries. The AARGM-ER rocket in February 2016 was named by the then US Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter one of the main potential elements for enhancing the US Navy’s strike capabilities in a “strong enemy”, along with the LRASM anti-ship missiles and the upgraded Tomahawk cruise missiles.

Structurally, the AARGM-ER rocket uses the AGM-88E Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM - further development of the HARM series) anti-radar missile (AARGM), which is used for the guidance and the warhead of the US Navy. increase the flight range. The required range of AARGM-ER is not disclosed, but, according to unofficial sources, will be "more than 60 nautical miles." The rocket body will be made with the introduction of elements of stealth. Thus, the appearance and dimensions of the AARGM-ER will differ significantly from the well-known HARM / AARGM family. The new rocket will be adapted for placement in the Lockheed Martin F-35A fighter jets' internal armaments (F-35B / C aircraft will be able to carry it only on external hangers) - now the HARM and AARGM missiles cannot be used on the internal suspension.

Used on the AGM-88E AARGM anti-radar missile and now planned for use on the AGM-88G AARGM-ER, the combined guidance system, in addition to the traditional passive radar homing head, also includes the millimeter-wave active radar channel, inertial-satellite correction unit and two-way data transmission equipment. Such a guidance system is believed to significantly expand the capabilities of the rocket to combat complex modern air defense systems, including in the conditions of radio countermeasures. and enemy use concealment measures and decoys.



https://bmpd.livejournal.com/3562896.html

Tomahawk ground-based cruise missile test

The U.S. Department of Defense reported that on August 18, 2019, the first test launch of the Tomahawk cruise missile in a ground-based version was launched from a test site on the island of San Nicholas on the Pacific coast of the United States (California). The statement said that the rocket was launched from a mobile launcher and precisely hit the target at a distance of more than 500 km.


The first test launch of an American ground-based Tomahawk cruise missile with a mobile launcher from a firing range on the San Nicholas Island on the US Pacific coast, 08/18/2019 (c) Scott Howe / U.S. Department of Defense

According to a U.S. Department of Defense press release, the results of this test will be used by the Department of Defense in developing promising medium-range weapons systems.

A spokesman for the US Department of Defense told Jane's that the test was conducted by the US Navy in conjunction with the US Department of Defense's Strategic Capabilities Office. The ship used the universal vertical launcher Mk 41, from which the "variant" of the Tomahawk LACM ship cruise missile was launched.

On the bmpd side, we indicate that judging by the widespread photo and video materials, the “mobile launcher”, which was launched on August 18, is an element of the Mk 41 universal universal launcher, semi-improvised on a semitrailer.

Recall that it was precisely the allegations about the possibility of using the Mk 41 land-based VPU on land to launch Tomahawk cruise missiles that were one of the points of accusation in recent years from the Russian side to the United States for violating the terms of the 1987 Treaty on the Elimination of Intermediate-Range and Shorter-Range Missiles. categorically denied by the American side.



https://bmpd.livejournal.com/3743119.html

Anti-ship missiles AGM-158C LRASM entered service with the F/A-18E/F aircraft of the US Navy

According to the Naval News web resource, referring to a statement made to it by a representative of the US Navy Aviation Systems Command (NAVAIR), in November 2019, the US Navy considered new anti-ship anti-ship aircraft to be at the “initial operational readiness” (EOC) stage. long-range missiles Lockheed Martin AGM-158C LRASM (Long-Range Anti-Ship Missiles) as part of the armament of carrier-based fighter Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. One F/A-18E/F aircraft can carry up to four AGM-158C LRASM missiles.

Earlier in December 2018, the AGM-158C LRASM missiles were deemed to have reached the EOS stage as part of the armament of strategic bomber B-1B Lancer of the U.S. Air Force. One B-1B bomber is capable of carrying up to 24 AGM-158C LRASM missiles.

The LRASM anti-ship missile was created by Lockheed Martin Corporation in conjunction with the DARPA Agency and the Navy and the US Air Force as part of the Offensive Anti-surface Warfare (OASuW) Increment 1 program and is an anti-ship variant of the Lockheed Martin AGM-158B JASSM-ER high-precision operational-tactical cruise missile (Joint Air-to-Surface Stand-off Missile Extended Range). The LRASM range in the aviation version is not officially disclosed, but is claimed to be within the "range of 500 nautical miles" (908 km).

The LRASM subsonic stealth missile has a launch weight of about 1100 kg and carries a 1000-pound (454 kg) half-armor-piercing warhead. The BAE Systems developed missile guidance system includes inertial-satellite correction on the marching section and a combination of infrared (type IIR) and passive homing radar systems on the final stretch. Active radar homing is ruled out to increase rocket stealth.

Testing of the AGM-158C LRASM missiles from F/A-18E/F aircraft was launched by Lockheed Martin in April 2017. The achievement of the EOS stage by the missile on the F/A-18E/F aircraft of the US Navy was originally planned at the end of September 2019, but in the end it was shifted by two months.

Subsequently, the US Air Force plans to introduce LRASM missiles into the armament of the Boeing B-52H strategic bombers, and the US Navy into the armament of the Boeing P-8A Poseidon base patrol aircraft.


https://bmpd.livejournal.com/3882266.html

US Marines will adopt ground-based Tomahawk cruise missiles

According to American media, in a letter sent to the US Senate Armed Forces Committee on March 5, 2020, General David Berger, commandant (commander) of the US Marine Corps, indicated that the US Marine Corps plans to deploy coastal mobile missile systems equipped with Tomahawk ground-based cruise missiles basing - initially formally as "anti-ship missiles".

In a letter to General Berger, the Marine Corps is requesting the acquisition of 48 Raytheon Corporation Tomomawk rockets for use in coastal anti-ship missile systems in fiscal year 2021. In a draft U.S. defense budget for fiscal year 2021 published on February 10, it is planned to allocate $ 125 million for the purchase of 48 Tomahawk missiles for the Marine Corps, while the objectives of this purchase were not disclosed (for the US Navy, $ 277.7 million is simultaneously requested for the purchase of 155 Tomahawk ship missiles , another $ 200.3 million is requested for R&D through the Tomahawk missile system).

“Part of the research that the Navy and the Marine Corps conducted over the past six months is the conclusion that we think we will need to act in the future as an integrated naval force, which means that the Marine Corps is taking on a role that we have not had in the past 20 years - we promote dominance at sea [sea control] and the prevention of enemy actions at sea [sea denial], ”said Berger.

“The Tomahawk missile is one of the tools that will allow us to do this ... This may be the answer, this may be the first step to a long-term response in five, six, seven years, but we need long-range high-precision weapons for a small part or group of small units that can hold the enemy’s naval forces at risk from a ship or from the shore. ”

The U.S. Navy and Raytheon are developing a new anti-ship modification of the Tomahawk missile, called the Maritime Strike Tomahawk (Tomahawk Block Va, designation RGM-109E / UGM-109E), which must be capable of hitting ground targets as well new new multi-channel guidance system. The specific parameters and types of channels of the new homing head for the MST are not disclosed, but presumably, it will combine active and passive radar and thermal imaging homing channels in combination with a powerful data processor and a new inertial guidance unit, as well as two-way data transmission equipment capable of command guidance of the rocket in flight, including from external platforms. The MST's official maximum firing range is 900 nautical miles (1,670 km), although Raytheon described it as a “1,000 mile missile.”

In August 2017, the U.S. Navy issued Raytheon a two-year contract of $ 119 million to develop an MST rocket. Prior to being reported, since 2012, Raytheon has spent up to $ 55 million in equity on R&D on MST. Raytheon was supposed to deliver the first 32 Tomahawk Block IV cash missile upgrade kits to the Maritime Strike Tomahawk variant in FY 2020; 50 sets — in FY 2021, and 80 sets — in FY 2022, with a total estimated value of $ 457.9 million. The achievement of the initial operational readiness (IOC) status of the MST was planned for the third quarter of 2022 FY, however, according to the latest data shifted to 2023 fi year.

It was planned that for the U.S. Navy, the Tomahawk Block Va MST missiles will be converted from Tomahawk Block IV missiles with the start of full-scale deliveries of missile upgrade kits for the Block Va variant in the year 2023. However, now for the planned coastal complexes of the US Marine Corps, we are talking about a new production of MST missiles. Presumably, the US Marines will begin to receive MST missiles also from the year 2023.

The United States also plans to adopt the Navy Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS), a short-range coastal mobile anti-ship missile system, equipped with Norwegian Kongsberg NSM anti-ship missiles.

Comment by bmpd. Obviously, plans to equip the US Marine Corps with Tomahawk ground-based mobile missile systems, although initially declared as “anti-ship” purposes, are a “politically correct” disguised step towards deploying the significant potential of ground-based medium-range cruise missiles

https://bmpd.livejournal.com/3952527.html

George1 wrote:

US Marines will adopt ground-based Tomahawk cruise missiles

 According to American media, in a letter sent to the US Senate Armed Forces Committee on March 5, 2020, General David Berger, commandant (commander) of the US Marine Corps, indicated that the US Marine Corps plans to deploy coastal mobile missile systems equipped with Tomahawk ground-based cruise missiles basing - initially formally as "anti-ship missiles".

 In a letter to General Berger, the Marine Corps is requesting the acquisition of 48 Raytheon Corporation Tomomawk rockets for use in coastal anti-ship missile systems in fiscal year 2021. In a draft U.S. defense budget for fiscal year 2021 published on February 10, it is planned to allocate $ 125 million for the purchase of 48 Tomahawk missiles for the Marine Corps, while the objectives of this purchase were not disclosed (for the US Navy, $ 277.7 million is simultaneously requested for the purchase of 155 Tomahawk ship missiles , another $ 200.3 million is requested for R&D through the Tomahawk missile system).

 “Part of the research that the Navy and the Marine Corps conducted over the past six months is the conclusion that we think we will need to act in the future as an integrated naval force, which means that the Marine Corps is taking on a role that we have not had in the past 20 years - we promote dominance at sea [sea control] and the prevention of enemy actions at sea [sea denial], ”said Berger.

“The Tomahawk missile is one of the tools that will allow us to do this ... This may be the answer, this may be the first step to a long-term response in five, six, seven years, but we need long-range high-precision weapons for a small part or group of small units that can hold the enemy’s naval forces at risk from a ship or from the shore. ”

The U.S. Navy and Raytheon are developing a new anti-ship modification of the Tomahawk missile, called the Maritime Strike Tomahawk (Tomahawk Block Va, designation RGM-109E / UGM-109E), which must be capable of hitting ground targets as well new new multi-channel guidance system. The specific parameters and types of channels of the new homing head for the MST are not disclosed, but presumably, it will combine active and passive radar and thermal imaging homing channels in combination with a powerful data processor and a new inertial guidance unit, as well as two-way data transmission equipment capable of command guidance of the rocket in flight, including from external platforms. The MST's official maximum firing range is 900 nautical miles (1,670 km), although Raytheon described it as a “1,000 mile missile.”

In August 2017, the U.S. Navy issued Raytheon a two-year contract of $ 119 million to develop an MST rocket. Prior to being reported, since 2012, Raytheon has spent up to $ 55 million in equity on R&D on MST. Raytheon was supposed to deliver the first 32 Tomahawk Block IV cash missile upgrade kits to the Maritime Strike Tomahawk variant in FY 2020; 50 sets — in FY 2021, and 80 sets — in FY 2022, with a total estimated value of $ 457.9 million. The achievement of the initial operational readiness (IOC) status of the MST was planned for the third quarter of 2022 FY, however, according to the latest data shifted to 2023 fi year.

It was planned that for the U.S. Navy, the Tomahawk Block Va MST missiles will be converted from Tomahawk Block IV missiles with the start of full-scale deliveries of missile upgrade kits for the Block Va variant in the year 2023. However, now for the planned coastal complexes of the US Marine Corps, we are talking about a new production of MST missiles. Presumably, the US Marines will begin to receive MST missiles also from the year 2023.

The United States also plans to adopt the Navy Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS), a short-range coastal mobile anti-ship missile system, equipped with Norwegian Kongsberg NSM anti-ship missiles.

Comment by bmpd. Obviously, plans to equip the US Marine Corps with Tomahawk ground-based mobile missile systems, although initially declared as “anti-ship” purposes, are a “politically correct” disguised step towards deploying the significant potential of ground-based medium-range cruise missiles

https://bmpd.livejournal.com/3952527.html

Adopt lol? Like Aegis Ashore didn't exist before lmao!

Also a slightly different write up at

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/32483/marines-set-to-be-the-first-to-bring-back-land-based-tomahawk-missiles-post-inf-treaty

The U.S. Marine Corps is on track to be the first branch of the U.S. military to re-introduce a ground-launched version of the Tomahawk cruise missile following the collapse of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, or INF, with Russia last year. Though this weapon is most often associated with strikes against targets on land, the Marines plan to primarily employ them as land-based anti-ship weapons.

U.S. Marine Corps Commandant General David Berger offered details on his service's anti-ship missile plans while testifying before Congress on Mar. 5, 2020. The Pentagon's budget proposal for the upcoming 2021 Fiscal Year revealed that the service had requested $125 million to purchase 48 Tomahawks, but details about the exact purpose of the acquisition were kept classified initially, according to official budget documents and a report from Task and Purpose.

"Part of the homework that the Navy and Marine Corps done over the past six months is how we think we are going to need to operate in the future as an integrated naval force and that means the Marine Corps assumes a role that we have not had in the past 20 years which is how do we contribute to sea control and sea denial," Berger told lawmakers. “The Tomahawk missile is one of the tools that is going to allow us to do that."

"It could be the answer, it could be the first step towards a longer-term answer five, six, seven years from now, but what we need is long-range precision fires for a small unit, a series of units that can from ship or from shore hold adversaries’ naval force at risk," he added. In recent years, there has been a significant revival of interest within the Marine Corps, as well as the U.S. Army, in ground-based anti-ship capabilities, especially for use in a distributed warfare environment, such as a major conflict across the wide expanses of the Pacific region.

Steve Trimble
@TheDEWLine
·
2h
Ooo, new picture!

AFRL launched Gray Wolf to become a low-cost cruise missile with a swarming capability.

But now it's just a testbed for the low-cost turbojet and swarming tech.

The swarming tech will transfer to Golden Horde, which adapts existing munitions for swarm ops.




Eglin AFB, FL – The Air Force Research Laboratory working with Northrop Grumman and Technical Directions Inc. (TDI) recently tested a first-of-its-kind, low-cost turbojet engine under the low-cost cruise missile program known as Gray Wolf. The TDI-J85 engine underwent a successful flight test campaign culminating in multiple inflight engine starts and operation at high altitude. The engine met performance expectations for thrust and surpassed fuel efficiency expectations. The engines tested accumulated sufficient inflight operating time, building confidence in the design durability. The engine design focused on affordability and manufacturability, which enables increased production. Test results proved the engine capability. It is the first engine in its class and price point to successfully operate at altitude. With the success of this test, AFRL is one significant step closer to launching a low cost cruise missile.

https://afresearchlab.com/news/afrl-industry-team-successfully-demonstrates-first-ever-200-lb-thrust-class-low-cost-engine/

Another comment re Grey Wolf

TAOG
@TAOG30309748
·
Mar 20
By Kratos company's comment, the biggest challenge for Grey Wolf is the engine:

"The price pressure is even greater on the Grey Wolf tactical cruise missile, with a target unit cost around $200,000 where a typical missile engine can cost upward of $100,000, Valenzuela says."

Lockheed Martin has won a more than $818 million US Air Force contract to produce 790 more Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSM), the Department of Defence said in a press release.

The contract provides for 360 Lot 17 JASSM-Extended Range (ER) missiles; 40 Lot 17 Foreign Military Sales (FMS) JASSM-ER missiles; and 390 Lot 18 JASSM-ER missiles, the Defence Department said.

https://sputniknews.com/military/202004011078798135-lockheed-martin-wins-820-million-deal-to-make-790-air-to-surface-missiles/

US Air Force Selects Raytheon to Build Nuclear-Capable Long-Range Standoff Missile

Raytheon will be the sole contractor on the long-range standoff weapon.

Last week, the U.S. Air Force announced that the Long-Range Standoff (LRSO) nuclear-armed cruise missile, a modernized U.S. nuclear capability, will be solely sourced from Raytheon. The decision ruled out an alternative bid by Lockheed Martin, which had its own design for the air-launched cruise missile (ALCM) that is slated to replace the AGM-86 ALCM.

The decision marks the effective end of the LRSO’s Technical Maturation and Risk (TMRR) phase, whereby both Lockheed Martin and Raytheon had competed and offered separate LRSO designs. The TMRR began in August 2017.

“Our competitive TMRR phase, which included both Lockheed Martin and Raytheon as the prime contractors, enabled us to select a high-confidence design at this point in the acquisition process,” Maj. Gen. Shaun Morris, U.S. Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center commander and program executive officer for strategic systems, said in a statement released on Friday by the U.S. Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center at Kirtland Air Force Base.

“And this early off-ramp of a contractor is completely in line with the existing LRSO acquisition strategy, which included periodic reviews to assess contractor designs. Lockheed Martin has been an excellent contractor and partner throughout the TMRR effort and this pivot to Raytheon does not represent a lack of effort or commitment on their part,” Morris continued.

“Lockheed Martin has supported the nuclear enterprise for decades and we continue to value their expertise in sensors and nuclear certification and surety,” he added.

Once developed, the LRSO will be delivered by U.S. B-52H Stratofortress nuclear-capable bombers as well as the upcoming B-21 Raider stealth bomber, which will replace the currently operational B-2 Spirit. The LRSO is expected to reach initial operating capability by the end of the decade. The LRSO is expected to the use the U.S. W80-4 warhead, which will be built specifically for the system.

Details about the specific capabilities of what will eventually become the LRSO remain limited. The system is designed to allow American strategic bombers to safely launch a nuclear-armed cruise missile from uncontested airspace, allowing the missile itself to maneuver in a low-observable way to its target.

https://thediplomat.com/2020/04/us-air-force-selects-raytheon-to-build-nuclear-capable-long-range-standoff-missile/

Note the in service date, "end of decade" or 2030!

Although this LRSO is specifically a nuke armed missile and Congress dismissed the idea of a conventional version, from link below

earlier this month, Air Force General Timothy Ray, head of Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC), raised the possibility that his service could continue with the development of a conventional LRSO regardless as part of its plans to expand its long-range conventional strike capabilities, especially for the B-1B Bone bomber fleet.

Not a bad article on it with a bit of history https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/33080/air-force-has-picked-raytheon-to-build-its-new-stealthy-nuclear-tipped-cruise-missile

During the flight of strategic B-1B bombers to Europe, the use of LRASM missiles was tested

As reported by the US Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa on June 1, 2020, during a long-range flight that resonated on May 29 with two Rockwell B-1B Lancer strategic bombers from the 28th Air Force bomber wing USA from the Ellsworth air base (South Dakota) from the continental USA to Europe, with the passage of the airspace of Poland and Ukraine, and then the Black Sea, these aircraft worked out the combat use of the new Lockheed Martin AGM-158C LRASM long-range long-range aircraft anti-ship missiles (Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile).

Two B-1B bombers from the 28th bomber wing from Ellsworth Air Base (South Dakota) conducted a strategic mission for long-range bombers in the Black Sea region on May 29, 2020.

During the mission, two B-1s trained to use the Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) long-range anti-ship missile. Designed to defeat enemy ships, LRASM gives the B-1 advanced capabilities to combat ships.

LRASM - a new generation of weapons designed to detect and destroy targets in groups of surface warships in electronic warfare.

“LRASM plays a critical role in ensuring US Navy access for operations both in the open ocean and in the coastal zone, thanks to its enhanced ability to recognize targets at long range,” said Lt. Col. Timothy Albrecht of the 603th Air Operations Operations Center bombers. "With the increase in the number of sea threats and the improvement of their armaments to prevent entry into access areas, this inconspicuous cruise missile reduces the risk of carrier damage, overcoming the enemy’s sophisticated air defense systems."

Albrecht also emphasized the fact that with the help of training scenarios for long-range bombers, B-1 flight crews can be trained in new emerging threats. Preparing for these threats adequately prepares them to be prepared to achieve the goals of the National Defense Strategy.

“The increase in the number of closest competitors and the intensification of tension between NATO and our opponents have returned the potential of anti-ship actions to the forefront of anti-surface ship tasks for bomber crews,” Albrecht said.

In addition to improving bomber crew training, the ability of the U.S. Air Force to conduct combat training with this weapon system also increases our deterrence capabilities.

According to Albrecht, such exercises increase the deterrent potential not only of the United States, but also for our allies and partners. He says that in the future, opponents will have to worry not only about missile threats from surface ships, but also from ground-based bombers. These opportunities should greatly influence the plans of potential adversaries, and they should take them into account in their decisions. Bombers equipped with LRASM should allow the enemy to think better and restrain the aggressive actions of potential opponents who seek to harm the United States, its allies and partners.
In 2018, the U.S. Air Force Strategic Command approved Ellsworth as the first deployment site for warheads equipped with AGMR-158C LRASM missiles. This decision made Ellsworth and the B-1 bombers the first base and the first type of aircraft to prepare for the use of LRASM missiles.

On the bmpd side, we recall that the LRASM anti-ship missile was created by Lockheed Martin together with DARPA and the Navy and the US Air Force as part of the Offensive Anti-surface Warfare (OASuW) Increment 1 program and is an anti-ship version of the Lockheed Martin high-precision operational-tactical cruise missile AGM-158B JASSM-ER (Joint Air-to-Surface Stand-off Missile Extended Range). The LRASM range in the aviation version is not officially disclosed, but is claimed to be within the “range of 500 nautical miles” (908 km).

The subsonic low-visibility missile LRASM has a starting mass of about 1100 kg and carries a 1000-pound (454 kg) semi-armor-piercing warhead. The combined missile guidance system developed by BAE Systems includes inertial-satellite correction on the marching section and a combination of infrared (type IIR) and passive radar homing systems on the final section. Active radar homing is ruled out to increase rocket stealth.

The first in December 2018, the AGM-158C LRASM missiles were deemed to have reached the “initial operational readiness” stage (Еarly Operational Capability - EOC) as part of the armament of the US Air Force B-1B strategic bombers, which became the first carriers of these missiles. One B-1B bomber is capable of carrying up to 24 AGM-158C LRASM missiles in the internal arms bays.

In November 2019, the U.S. Navy considered LRASM missiles as part of the armament of Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet deck fighters to reach the EOC stage (one F/A-18E/F aircraft can carry up to four AGM-158C LRASM missiles).

Subsequently, the US Air Force plans to introduce LRASM missiles into the armament of the strategic Boeing B-52H bombers, and the US Navy into the armament of the Boeing P-8A Poseidon base patrol aircraft.



https://bmpd.livejournal.com/4046538.html

US Department of Defense  issued an official comment on the need for a sea-based nuclear cruise missile

https://bmpd.livejournal.com/4105502.html

George1 wrote:US Department of Defense  issued an official comment on the need for a sea-based nuclear cruise missile

https://bmpd.livejournal.com/4105502.html

The US fetishizes the cruise missile. I recall all sorts of books and "analysis" where NATzO was threatened by the 1980 introduction
of Soviet cruise missiles. As with stealth, the yanquis believe that cruise missiles are undetectable and invincible.

Very funny considering the performance of the tomahawk in Syria, a cruise missile attack on Russia would leave Russia largely unharmed and europe a smoldering radioactive crater.

If anything cruise missiles would give Russia an early warning by showing up on OTH radars hours before they near the Russian shores, giving Russia plenty of time to confirm and retaliate.

It's amusing that they believe subsonic cruise missiles to be the end-all-be-all, when the federation has tens of thousands of MANPADS (Igla series and Verba) as well as ATGMs (Kornet-M) with their respective command posts that are highly capable at destroying cruise missiles.

Even if some would come through the damage would be limited. There were 20 Tommys hitting the syrian air force base and 24 hours later planes were again flying from it. You would need hits from 100 or 200 cruise missiles (conventional ones) to destroy even one russian air base. The probability is close to zero.

Hole wrote:Even if some would come through the damage would be limited. There were 20 Tommys hitting the syrian air force base and 24 hours later planes were again flying from it. You would need hits from 100 or 200 cruise missiles (conventional ones) to destroy even one russian air base. The probability is close to zero.

Don't forget the nuclear part. That is why it is mentioned. Adding a nuke warhead to a sub-par missile system elevates its
effectiveness. But even with this "fix", the US is still obsessed with cruise missiles. The fascination of an idiot.

U.S. Army builds medium-range ground-based missile system with Tomahawk and SM-6 missiles

https://bmpd.livejournal.com/4183515.html

The U.S. Department of Defense reported that on August 18, 2019, the first test launch of the Tomahawk cruise missile in a ground-based version was launched from a test site on the island of San Nicholas on the Pacific coast of the United States (California). The statement said that the rocket was launched from a mobile launcher and precisely hit the target at a distance of more than 500 km.

So the US DOD said the Mk-41 AEGIS Ashore vertical launch system could not launch Tomahawk cruise missiles, so it was not a violation of the INF treaty... test launched a Tomahawk ground launched cruise missile at a target more than 500km away... about two weeks after the US formally withdrew from the INF treaty on the 2nd of August 2019... so it was so hard to do it took them 16 days to completely redesign the missile and the launcher... does anyone else smell INF treaty violation... and they had the balls to accuse the Russians of violating it as justification for their withdrawal... amazing.