The Army is in the market for an upgraded kamikaze drone for dismounted infantry and Special Operations Forces, another step to delivering miniature guided munitions to the individual soldier.
The Army issued a solicitation last year under the Defense Ordnance Technology Consortium–a cooperative effort by industry and the Defense Department to develop and test new munitions–for a lethal miniature aerial munition system (LMAMS).
Industry anticipates the Army to fund a procurement effort in 2016, most likely after the beginning of the next fiscal year in October. The service currently is reviewing the program requirements in preparation for launching a formal competition.
In anticipation of the LMAMS competition, Raytheon [RTN] teamed up with Israeli unmanned systems manufacturer UVision. The pair are offering UVision’s Hero 30 that is tailored to meet U.S. military standards and requirements.
“There is a strong demand signal for getting the capability in the field sooner rather than later,” J.R. Smith, director of advanced land warfare systems at Raytheon Missile Systems, told Defense Daily. The team is displaying the Hero 30 in its LMAMS configuration at the Special Operations Forces Industry Conference in Tamp, Fla., where both the Army and Special Operations Command (SOCOM) officials have shown interest, Smith said.
A requirement for an LMAMS initially was submitted to the Army Rapid Equipping Force (REF) in January 2011. At the time, AeroVironment’s [AVAV] Switchblade loitering munition was the most mature technology and, when deemed safe for field use, was deployed to soldiers in Afghanistan. LMAMS, the resulting upgraded capability requirement, includes an enhanced day camera and the addition of an infrared camera for night operations. It also comes with a tailored training package.
Since then, technology has progressed to the point where a small, expendable unmanned aerial system can carry a sophisticated sensor payload that is relatively affordable, especially compared to a $50,000-plus Javelin anti-tank guided missile, Smith said.
“Technology has evolved in terms of miniaturization of electronic components and their cost,” he said. “The EO/IR sensor we are using, for example, is very simple, low cost and it’s a good, high-performing system.”
Troops could engage snipers or entrenched enemy positions with the LMAMS instead of deploying an overkill system like an ATGM. Raytheon’s Pike munition, a 40mm rocket grenade with an integrated seeker, is designed to fill a similar role, Smith said.
“You can go out and take care of that problem for the fraction of a cost of a Javelin,” Smith said. “That’s another reason why…we are looking at other alternatives for much lower-cost precision-guided munitions to take care of those problems that don’t require a superb anti-armor capability. Sometimes, you don’t need that.”
Under the agreement, UVision supplies the UAS, which includes the Hero 30 aircraft and its controller. Raytheon then adapts it for U.S. military use by integrating a specified payload that meets specified requirements. Those modifications will include the integration of a warhead approved by the Army Fuse Board and a secure datalink, Smith said.
The 5kg unmanned aircraft can be carried in a backpack, is tube-launched and can loiter for half an hour and has a 10 km range. In its current configuration, the warhead it carries is effective against dismounted infantry and light vehicles. Its electric motor is designed to operate with a low acoustic signature.
The Israeli military already has weaponized a Hero 30, said Ozri Baron, vice president of sales and marketing for UVision. Because the aircraft is already fielded, Smith said getting an LMAM solution into the hands of U.S. troops is as simple as choosing appropriate retrofits.
“The Hero 30, in its current state, you could put a qualified fuse in there and pick the datalink you want and this could be out in the field pretty soon,” Smith said. “This is really about increasing lethality and overmatch of infantry squads by expanding their reach, their ability to see beyond what is immediately in their view,” Smith said. “An ultimately, if you see something–day or night–that you determine to be a threat that you want to engage and attack, you have exactly that capability to do so.”