Guided rockets hit fast-moving boat targets in test
The Low-Cost Imaging Terminal Seeker, a weapon prototype developed by the Office of Naval Research, a suite of low-cost technologies that modify existing helicopter-borne rockets into precision-guided weapons. By adding an infrared imaging guidance section to 2.75-inch Hydra-70 rockets, the researchers are providing naval aviators with a new lethal capability. Credit: US Navy photo
A weapon prototype developed by the Office of Naval Research (ONR) successfully hit two high-speed boat targets during recent testing in Point Mugu, Calif.
"It's a fire-and-forget weapon," said Ken Heeke, the ONR program officer for the Low-Cost Imaging Terminal Seeker (LCITS). "No longer do you have to continue to monitor the target after you've fired the weapon. You can move on to the next threat with the assurance that the rocket will hit the target."
ONR researchers produced LCITS, a suite of low-cost technologies that modify existing helicopter-borne rockets into precision-guided weapons. By adding an infrared imaging guidance section to 2.75-inch Hydra-70 rockets, the researchers are providing naval aviators with a new lethal capability.
Unlike laser-guided weapons that require operators to select and monitor a target from launch to detonation, LCITS gives unguided rockets the ability to compute and home in on targets automatically after launch.
In the Nov. 3 test, Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division engineers used a shore-based launcher to fire two LCITS rockets, one inert and the other with an explosive warhead. Using inertial guidance, they flew to a point where the infrared terminal guidance system took over. Onboard imaging infrared seekers identified their intended targets among five maneuvering small boats. The rockets adjusted trajectories to intercept and eliminate two of the boats.
The test was part of the Medusa Joint Capability Technology Demonstration, an effort funded by the Department of the Navy, Office of the Secretary of Defense and Republic of Korea.
Provided by Office of Naval Research
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Nov 29, 2011
Rank: 2 / 5 (8)
Clearly Americans are planning to murder more millions of people.
Time to defund America.
Nov 30, 2011
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Nov 30, 2011
Rank: 5 / 5 (1)
Unless the Army gets their hands on these, the only feasible mission would be for the coast guard attacking drug runners or, as rwinners points out, combating piracy. Helicopters firing small hydras are not the ideal choice to attack anything large or, as VD points out, buildings such as orphanages full of babies and kittens
Nov 30, 2011
Rank: 1 / 5 (1)
Nov 30, 2011
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Nov 30, 2011
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Special ops support and marine escorts in/out of hostile embassies too. Both use lots of choppers off carriers.
Nov 30, 2011
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That being said: I have no technical specs on these new missiles so you could be entirely right!
Nov 30, 2011
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Laws in the port nations prevent it. Ridiculous, IMO.
Nov 30, 2011
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Actually, you're right. I was thinking about the troop-carrier off of carriers and such.
Dec 16, 2011
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