News From Washington
Rockwell Collins Receives Order for Multi-mode Receiver
Rockwell Collins is the first to receive Federal Aviation Administration Technical Standard Order approval for a Multi-mode Receiver (MMR) equipped with Microwave Landing System (MLS) functionality that can be implemented in both commercial and military aircraft.
Collins MMR is an integrated unit providing VHF Omni-directional Range (VOR), Instrument Landing System (ILS), Marker Beacon, Global Positioning System (GPS) and MLS functions. The addition of MLS technology provides flight crews with an alternative to existing ILS capability. MLS technology improves margin of safety around airports in highly developed areas and as weather conditions degrade, and Category III capability is required to maintain airport capacity. Additionally, MLS is used by the military to provide portable precision approach capability.
In November 2001, Rockwell Collins successfully completed flight tests of the industry first MLS receiver fully integrated as an MMR. The flight tests included more than 100 MLS approaches at 12 airports in the US and Europe equipped with military and commercial ground stations from four providers. The results demonstrated the Category IIIb capabilities of the MMR's integrated MLS module. The flights were conducted with the US Federal Aviation Authority and European Civil Aviation Authority oversight, and with cooperation from the National Aerospace Laboratory of the Netherlands.
Lockheed Martin ATACMS Missile Performs Perfectly in Tests
Lockheed Martin's Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) Block II Missile performed perfectly in a test at White Sands Missile Range, NM.
The missile was launched with a test payload of three fully tactical Brilliant Anti-Armor Technology (BAT) submunitions, three flight data recorders and seven BAT simulants. The cold-conditioned ATACMS Block II Missile flew a long range trajectory and dispensed the payload at the proper location. The government-furnished BATs, produced by Northrop Grumman, destroyed three selected target vehicles in a field of 20. Soldiers of the US Army's 6-3 FA participated in the firing.
As the Army continues to define the Unit of Employment 1 and 2, ATACMS will truly be the weapon system of choice to shape the battle space and provide troop protection. ATACMS is the Joint Commander's "24/7" weapon. Although air munitions are using INS/GPS guidance, they still have to be delivered by an air platform, such as ATACMS.
The ATACMS Block II missile has a range of more than 80 miles (128 km). The missile is being developed under a manufacturing development contract for the US Army ATACMS-BAT Project Office. The contract was initially awarded to Lockheed Martin in July 1995. An LIPR contract was awarded in June 1999.
ATACMS is fired from the MLRS family of launchers, including the original M270, the M270 IPDS, the M270A1 and the new High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers. The M270, M270-IPDS and M270A1 launchers can carry two ATACMS missiles or 12 MLRS rockets in a full load. HIMARS carries a single ATACMS missile, or six MLRS rockets, and is C-130 transportable.
Raytheon Delivers Newest Patriot Missile Interceptor
Raytheon Co. has completed its initial delivery of Patriot Guidance Enhanced Missile Plus (GEM+) forebodies to the US Army. GEM+ is a significant upgrade over the existing Patriot Advanced Capability -2 (PAC-2) missile and, when fielded in conjunction with the PAC-3 System, provides a robust capability against ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, aircraft and remotely piloted vehicles.
These forebodies, which were delivered two months early, are from the initial lot of 148 that are currently under contract to the US Army Aviation and Missile Command in Huntsville, AL. The Patriot GEM+ missiles are part of an upgrade program to the Patriot system that includes the fielded PAC-3 ground equipment upgrades and the new PAC-3 missile.
GEM+ missiles are PAC-2 missiles that are refurbished and modernized at Raytheon's Andover, MA, manufacturing facility. Through the upgrade process, older components are replaced, new technology inserted and reliability increased. A modernized fuse is added that provides significant performance improvements against tactical ballistic missile targets, and a new low noise front end is inserted to increase the seeker's sensitivity and improve acquisition and track performance against smaller radar cross-section targets.
Rockwell Collins Demonstrates Low Level Military Approaches Using Synthetic Vision
Rockwell Collins is the first to demonstrate low level military approaches using synthetic vision technology. Rockwell Collins' synthetic vision technology offers enhanced situational awareness, real-time guidance, predictive alerting and improved flight planning.
The successful flight tests are the culmination of a two-year cooperative research agreement with the Air Force research Lab at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, demonstrating the applicability of synthetic vision technology in the military environment. More than 20 hours of flight tests were performed on the USAF Speckled Trout aircraft flying low level terrain sorties in simulated night instrument meteorological conditions. The tests are the first to be conducted using synthetic vision displays to perform a zero/zero approach to landing at an assault strip. Evaluation pilots from the 412th Flight Test Squadron and the Air Force Test Pilot School conducted blind low level profiles and approaches using Rockwell Collins head-up and head-down displays that were equipped with synthetic vision elements.
Synthetic vision technology raises the crew's situational awareness so potential dangers are avoided before terrain awareness warning system (TAWS) warnings become necessary. The system provides intuitive guidance cues to reduce the pilot workload and enhances the safety of military helicopter and fixed wing missions by supporting all weather and 24/7 operations in both prepared and austere landing zones.
Synthetic vision is an integrated solution and will rely on traditional subsystems similar to traffic alert collision avoidance (TCAS), ground proximity warning system (GPWS), flight management system (FMS) and displays to provide warning functions.
Raytheon Awarded $118.7 M for SEASPARROW Missile Production
Raytheon Co. has been awarded a $118.7 M contract from the US Navy for the second year for low rate initial production of the Evolved SEASPARROW Missile (ESSM). This award includes funding for 163 all-up-roundmissiles. Raytheon also has been awarded a $6 M contract for ESSM radome production.
ESSM is an advanced ship self-defense missile, designed to protect ships by destroying currently fielded and near-term projected anti-ship missiles, particularly those that fly at low altitudes and maneuver during their terminal flight phase.
Raytheon is producing ESSM at its Missile System business in Tucson, AZ. It is being produced for the US Navy and nine other member nations of the NATO SEASPARROW Consortium: Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain and Turkey. Other nations also are considering ESSM for their ship self-defense needs. Raytheon delivered the first production ESSM to the Navy in September 2002.