,
TUCSON: Raytheon Company's HDAM missile completed a series of free-flight tests by successfully engaging a radar system emitting low-power levels, a new accomplishment for an anti-radar missile. HDAM stands for HARM destruction of enemy air defense attack module.
The new HDAM variant adds INS/GPS (inertial navigation system/Global Positioning System) capability to the battle-proven HARM (High-speed anti- radiation missile), greatly improving HARM's effectiveness while eliminating the possibility of fratricide. Earlier test flights validated the missile's improved software and INS/GPS capabilities.
The third and final U.S. Air Force free-flight test of HDAM was the most challenging as the missile was fired against a low-power emitter. To fully test the missile's capability, the HDAM only looked for a low-power emitter source at a very close range to the target. In spite of these severe challenges, the missile successfully detected, engaged and attacked the low- power source.
The flight took place at the China Lake Test Range, Calif. The missile was launched 25 nautical miles (approximately 29 statute miles) away from the target by a Block 50 F-16 that was flying 0.8 Mach (more than 500 mph) at 25,000 feet. The HDAM then demonstrated its ability to execute the fastest time-critical attack of any air-to-surface weapons available to U.S. forces today. Results met Air Force expectations with a high level of target probability of destruction assessed.
HDAM flight tests have determined the new HARM version has long-distance, time-critical target attack with minimum supersonic flight time and precise accuracy and the capability to attack low-power targets quickly and efficiently from stand-off range.
“This test has clearly demonstrated the extended capabilities of the HDAM,” said Jeff Wadsworth, the HARM program director at Raytheon Missile Systems in Tucson, Ariz. “The three successful HDAM flight tests concludes the highly successful cooperative research and development agreement providing the Air Force with an opportunity to upgrade its existing inventory to a system that can be utilized as a suppression or destruction of enemy air defenses weapon with additional capability as a high-speed strike weapon. HDAM can be a new, multi-role arrow in the Air Force warfighter's quiver.”
Raytheon Missile Systems has produced more than 22,800 HARMs since 1985. Customers include the U.S. Air Force, Navy, Marines and seven international allies.
Raytheon Company, with 2006 sales of $20.3 billion, is an industry leader in defense and government electronics, space, information technology, technical services, and business and special mission aircraft. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs more than 80,000 people worldwide.
