Posted on 08/07/2009 7:50:50 AM PDT by BradtotheBone
Raytheon fired nine Excalibur Ia-1 precision-guided projectiles from a Paladin gun system. The test validates the increased reliability of the projectile's new Atlantic Inertial Systems inertial measurement unit (AIS IMU). Using the new IMU, Raytheon achieved a 100 percent success rate.
"Excalibur Ia-1 is an extraordinarily capable weapon," said Steve Bennett, Raytheon's Excalibur program director. "In an effort to provide ever-increasing performance and to meet changing operational requirements, we needed an IMU that met Excalibur's stringent standards."
Excalibur Ia-1 tests using the new AIS IMU began 10 months ago and have consistently demonstrated increased precision with an average impact distance of less than 2 meters (about 6 1/2 feet) from the target. These tests clear the way for Raytheon to resume immediate production of Excalibur Ia-1.
"We look forward to providing the warfighter increased quantities of precision Excalibur rounds," said Lt. Col. Mike Milner, U.S. Army Excalibur product manager. "Soldiers and Marines welcome the continued deliveries as Excalibur is critical to the success of their combat operations."
Raytheon continues thorough testing of all its Excalibur variants. Excalibur increment Ia-2 testing demonstrated better than 5 meter (slightly more than 16 feet) accuracy.
"We've got to start thinking of precision in a whole new way," said Jim Riley, Raytheon Missile Systems vice president of Land Combat.
"We're used to thinking in terms of the circular error of probability, but precision is the way of the future. CEP doesn't limit collateral damage, nor does it keep our warfighters safe. Excalibur's proven precision is not only effective, it's essential for the protection of combat forces and civilians."
Excalibur Ia-1 has a unique guidance logic that acts as a built-in safety feature. The weapon will not arm itself unless the guidance logic determines it will impact the intended target. If the intended target cannot be hit, Excalibur rounds fly to a predetermined safe impact point.
I can only imagine that these rounds would eventually be used for mid-high value targets due to the, I imagine anyways, cost of them. They would certainly be cheaper than missiles I would imagine though.
I thought Paladin was canceled.
Oops - I was thinking of Crusader.
You have quite the imagination.
Inconceivable!
little sleep get’s the imagine’s flowing from me,lol
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