Defense Tech: Raytheon Missile Deployed On Predator


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Edited by Christian Lowe \| Contact

Raytheon Missile Deployed On Predator

This article first appeared at Aerospace Daily & Defense Report.

A small air-to-surface missile developed as a private venture by Raytheon is being deployed on the Predator unmanned aircraft by an unidentified customer.

The Griffin is a 42-inch-long, tube-launched missile with a semi-active laser seeker, and is intended to give the Predator and smaller UAVs an organic, self-guided direct attack capability, Raytheon says.

The short-range missile including its launcher weigh around 45 pounds, and the Predator will be able to carry up to three rounds for each Hellfire missile now carried. Although longer than Hellfire, the Griffin has a narrower diameter at 5.5 inches and a smaller warhead, reducing collateral damage.

Raytheon says the low-cost weapon is modular, using technology from several of the company’s existing weapons including Javelin, AIM-9X and guided projectiles. Other seekers and warheads could be installed, the company says.

Read the rest of this story, a screed on the Reaper's rewards, an entry on FCS's Hill fandango and see some killer photos of the Royal Navy from our Aviation Week friends at Military.com.

-- Christian

Comments

James,

What about Republicans and Christians were you commenting?

Posted by: coviepresb1647 at June 17, 2008 05:46 PM

James,
Oops,my mistake,Strategypage.com actually said "Cylon Menace."

Posted by: Roy Smith at June 17, 2008 01:30 PM

launcher empty weighs 45 lbs with 2 missiles it weighs 113 lbs

Posted by: st6ng at June 17, 2008 10:27 AM

Besides,"Cylon Raider" is kind of catchy isn't it? I just wish we'd hurry up & get the "Toasters" out there for clearing buildings in MOUT operations or clearing tunnels.

Posted by: Roy Smith at June 17, 2008 10:24 AM

James,
Actually,Strategypage.com used the term "Cylon Raider." I just added "Skynet" to the description.
Relax,if I was some leftist nut,I'd of said "Jennings & Rall/Ravenwood/Skynet/Cylon Raider."

http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htairfo/articles/20080614.aspx

"The Cylon Menace
June 14, 2008: The U.S. Department of Defense recently ran a successful test of flight control software that can survive combat damage, figure out how to recover, and then land the aircraft. The test was conducted using a 60 percent scale UAV model of a F-18 fighter. The UAV had a right wing that could detach part of itself in flight. The aircraft can also instigate several other 'failures' typical of massive combat damage (as would accompany most of one wing.) The new software, called ASAC (Automatic Supervisory Adaptive Control) uses what can best be described as AI (Artificial Intelligence) to quickly assess the situation, come up with the best possible solution, and then carry it out. In this case, that means landing what's left of the aircraft safely.

All this is really nothing new, just evolutionary. For years, commercial aircraft have had flight control systems that can land and fly to their destination automatically. Automated take offs are possible, but not necessary, as most of that process consists of maneuvering the aircraft on the ground, to get it into position where it can execute the relatively simple (at least compared to a landing) procedure.

Landing is much more complicated, especially at night or in bad weather. That's why automated landing systems were developed first. There was a real need for this sort of stuff. Meanwhile, the Global Hawk, the largest UAV in service, already has, and uses, automated landing, flight and takeoff. All an operator does is maneuver the UAV around on the ground, before takeoff and after landing.

Another example is how Israel has designed a maritime patrol UAV by simply installing UAV type flight control software in a Gulfstream 550 business jet (equipped with radar and other recon type sensors). The Gulfstream 550 UAV uses the flight control software, plus the addition of cameras in the cockpit, so that the ground operator could see what pilots normally see.

It's developments like this that make combat pilots wonder what their long term career prospects are. But for the moment, the main reason for developing this more capable flight control software, is to decrease the number of UAVs lost to damage or equipment failure."

Posted by: Roy Smith at June 17, 2008 10:21 AM

roy if your not kidding.........oh god sad part is daily kos crackheads accualy think that was...though its supposed to be evil republicans or christians to them

Posted by: James at June 17, 2008 06:00 AM

Reminds me of the APKWS, may or may not be related but hey definitely a good idea to apply to the current battlefield.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Precision_Kill_Weapon_System

Posted by: FoxThree at June 17, 2008 12:54 AM

Talk about your combination Skynet/Cylon Raider in action.The future is here & now!!!

Posted by: Roy Smith at June 16, 2008 09:23 PM

If the hellfire can defeat the Abrams that has a very advanced ammor, I believe this smaller missile could be enough against a T-72 and such.

Posted by: Vitor at June 16, 2008 09:18 PM

thats cool

Posted by: T-800 at June 16, 2008 07:55 PM

Sounds like they're bringing back the Zuni... just shorter... and smarter (maybe). "Javelin, AIM-9X"... So, is this a dual purpose Air-to-Air & Air-to-Ground munition? Speaking of which, has a UAV scored an Air-to-Air kill in testing yet?

Maybe the Georgians should buy a few...
http://youtube.com/watch?v=BypnhFI7HGY

Posted by: Camp at June 16, 2008 07:24 PM

Griffin, the one to have when you're killing more than one.

Posted by: Torpedo8 at June 16, 2008 06:59 PM

Saw a thing on this awhile back this is awsome.
think about hummingbird uav now oh yea idy bidy cheap apache

Posted by: James at June 16, 2008 06:04 PM

Raytheon Missile Deployed On Predator

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