thedrifter
09-20-07, 03:43 AM
Marines test laser-guided 2.75-inch rockets
By Kris Osborn - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday Sep 19, 2007 21:25:00 EDT
Fired from a Marine Corps Cobra helicopter, laser-guided 2.75-inch rockets destroyed ground targets from four kilometers away during a Navy test at China Lake, Calif., on Wednesday.
The test-firings of the 10-pound rockets were the first airborne shots of the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System, an Army-Navy program in development by BAE under a $96 million deal from 2006. The rockets homed in on both ground and air-based laser designators, Navy officials said.
Navy officials are asking Congress to find money to field the $10,000 rockets earlier than planned.
“I believe it could be fielded as soon as late 2009 if the money is there. The impact is immense. This offers precision guidance with low collateral damage. That is exactly what the warfighter needs,” said Michelle McBride, who leads the project for the Navy.
McBride said the Army and Navy would likely include the rockets in their 2009 budget requests.
Hitting smaller targets from the air will save lives and money, said Frank Wilson, vice president and general manager of precision targeting at BAE Systems.
“You can shoot a Hellfire at a target, but if you only want to take out a sniper in a building, you will likely take down the whole building,” said Wilson.
In Iraq and Afghanistan, some targets cannot be hit because of risks to civilians and buildings, McBride said.
“The Marine Corps now has some restrictions going in close for attacks because of the collateral damage issue,” McBride said.
Ellie
By Kris Osborn - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday Sep 19, 2007 21:25:00 EDT
Fired from a Marine Corps Cobra helicopter, laser-guided 2.75-inch rockets destroyed ground targets from four kilometers away during a Navy test at China Lake, Calif., on Wednesday.
The test-firings of the 10-pound rockets were the first airborne shots of the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System, an Army-Navy program in development by BAE under a $96 million deal from 2006. The rockets homed in on both ground and air-based laser designators, Navy officials said.
Navy officials are asking Congress to find money to field the $10,000 rockets earlier than planned.
“I believe it could be fielded as soon as late 2009 if the money is there. The impact is immense. This offers precision guidance with low collateral damage. That is exactly what the warfighter needs,” said Michelle McBride, who leads the project for the Navy.
McBride said the Army and Navy would likely include the rockets in their 2009 budget requests.
Hitting smaller targets from the air will save lives and money, said Frank Wilson, vice president and general manager of precision targeting at BAE Systems.
“You can shoot a Hellfire at a target, but if you only want to take out a sniper in a building, you will likely take down the whole building,” said Wilson.
In Iraq and Afghanistan, some targets cannot be hit because of risks to civilians and buildings, McBride said.
“The Marine Corps now has some restrictions going in close for attacks because of the collateral damage issue,” McBride said.
Ellie