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A Raytheon Co. Precision Attack Air-to-Surface Missile (PAASM) was successfully launched from a rotary-winged, unmanned aerial vehicle (UH-1) at White Sands Missile Range, NM. The missile was fired from a standard M299 digital launcher and met planned test objectives. Upon receiving the launch command, the PAASM missile successfully ignited and separated from the M299 launcher and transitioned into stable flight. The demonstration validated the capability of the Raytheon team to configure and integrate the missile system onto a standard, digital, single rail M299 launcher and satisfy standoff range and environmental requirements for a helicopter/UAV extended range, precision air-to-surface missile. “The Raytheon demonstration was a significant milestone for the team as PAASM provides an alternative, low cost missile solution to existing joint, extended range, rotary wing precision strike requirements,” said Ken Pedersen, Raytheon Missile Systems vice president, Advanced Programs. “Additionally, Apache Block 2/3, ARH, AH-1Z, Warrior, Predator B and Future Combat System’s Unmanned Aerial Systems will all be ‘net-enabled’ platforms and will be able to fully utilize the networked capability of PAASM.” PAASM is a joint, multi-platform, precision strike missile designed to engage and destroy stationary, re-locatable and moving targets ranging from buildings and bunkers to tactical vehicles and advanced armor. The weapon is also optimized to fight in today’s urban and complex terrain environment and destroy naval targets such as patrol craft. PAASM could be available in production as early as 2009 to support modern tri-service rotary wing, UAV and special operation platforms.