Teledyne-Ryan AQM-34 Firebee RPV
Posted on 06/12/2006 6:41:54 PM PDT by SandRat
USS JOHN C. STENNIS, At Sea (NNS) -- As part of a weapons testing phase, USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) fired both of its new Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) systems at a remote-controlled drone for the first time, June 8.
The ship’s two RAM launchers each fired one missile at a BQM-34 Firebee drone, which was about four miles out and incoming and had been launched from Point Mugu, Calif. Both missiles successfully hit the infrared beacons the drone was carrying from its wings.
“They gave us a green light on both RAM missiles,” said Stennis’ Commanding Officer Capt. Brad Johanson at a debriefing after the missile launch. “The operator execution was outstanding.”
The RAMs were fired as part of a weeklong combat systems ship’s qualification trial (CSSQT) Stennis performed while at sea off the coast of California. The ship’s Close-in Weapons System (CIWS) and NATO Sea Sparrow Missile Systems (NSSMS) were also successfully fired.
“We really did hammer this off flawlessly,” said Johanson, referring to the successful completion of the CSSQT.
RAM was installed aboard Stennis during its docked-planned incremental availability period during 2005, and took the place of one of the ship’s CIWS mounts and one of its NSSMS mounts.
The new missile battery, which was co-developed by Germany and the United States, contains 21 chambers and can be fired at two-second intervals. RAM is a NATO-cooperative program and was designed to be a low-cost, lightweight quick-reaction self-defense system.
“RAM’s a lot cheaper than some of our other weapons systems,” said Fire Controlman 3rd Class Stacy Hernandez. “It’s really quite simple and it requires much less maintenance than our other systems.”
Unlike the CIWS and NSSMS, the RAM doesn’t have its own radar system. It uses Stennis’ new ship’s self-defense system (SSDS) for guidance, along with infrared and radio frequency tracking, so the missile becomes capable of tracking its target. SSDS was also installed during Stennis’ Docked Planned Incremental Availability period, and makes it possible for the ship to automate the detection and engagement of various threats at sea.
“The ship fired from the forward mount first, hitting one of the beacons the drone was carrying,” said Hernandez, who went to school for the new RAM in 2005. “Shortly afterward, the ship did a 180 degree turn and fired from the aft mount. Both were right on.”
Missiles fired by Stennis’ RAM system reach speeds in excess of Mach 2, twice the speed of sound, and have a range of about three miles.
“It’s very fast, very simple, and can be fired with little to no warning,” said Hernandez. “This thing does its job.”
Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) personnel from Port Hueneme were aboard to prepare equipment and train personnel.
“I think it went excellent today,” said Kent Simmons, an in service engineering agent with NAVSEA. “All the training and the time these Sailors spent working all paid off today.”
Simmons called the event a success and added he’s been keeping the Sailors involved very busy.
For related news, visit the USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/cvn74/.
USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74)
Your answers are here http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/m-34.html
"How fast is the drone?"
I hope they have a Mach 3 version to simulate the cruise-missiles the Chicoms are using.
“The ship fired from the forward mount first, hitting one of the beacons the drone was carrying,” said Hernandez, who went to school for the new RAM in 2005. “Shortly afterward, the ship did a 180 degree turn and fired from the aft mount. Both were right on.”
Wait a minute....the drone wasn't moving TOWARDS the ship? I guess perpendicular? I guess that's ok for initial testing. Otherwise the ship would have a hole in it by the time it turned around.
"This drone does Mach 1.1-1.8"
Ok if you're simulating Silkworms. Hopefully they'll come up with a good simulation for Sunburns. They'll first need to consistently hit drones coming head-on.
Yup. That's why I asked.
Teledyne-Ryan AQM-34 Firebee RPV
Didn't the US buy a handful of (downgraded) KH-31 Krypton missiles from Russia for target practice in the mid 1990s??
Is that a full scale image?
The IR part of the seeker was specifically intended for the Mach 2-3 Russki anti-ship missles. The get so hot they are an enormous heat target. Problem is a close-in kill, you still have a very large losd of supersonic buckshot coming your way.
The US has the coyote ramjet missile it uses to simulate sunburns. It just as fast and more advanced in terms of electronics.
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