Raytheon reveals first glimpse of next-generation missile

Flight International ^ | 18/02/11 | Stephen Trimble

[sukhoi-30mki]

Raytheon reveals first glimpse of next-generation missile

By Stephen Trimble

Raytheon has offered the first peek into the company's approach to designing a next generation missile to replace both the AIM-120 AMRAAM and AGM-88 HARM.

For the first time, the company has displayed a full-scale mock-up of one of several candidates being considered for the emerging US Air Force requirement for a dual role air dominance missile (DRADM).

The design shown at the Air Warfare Sympsoium on 16-17 February features an AMRAAM-like missile body integrated with what appears to be a variable flow ducted rocket (VFDR), or ramjet.

In 2004, Raytheon commissioned Aerojet to demonstrate a VFDR propulsion system on an AMRAAM for a contract sponsored by the Air Force Research Laboratory. Raytheon acknowledges the influence of the VFDR demonstration.

"This model incorporates lessons learned from VFDR," Raytheon says. "However, the requirements haven't been established yet, so the model you see is one of several possibilities in consideration."

Raytheon and Boeing received separate contracts from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) late last year to work on a next generation missile. The triple target terminator (T3) programme is aimed at hitting three types of targets - aircraft, cruise missiles and ground-based radars.

For two years, Boeing has displayed a conventional, solid rocket-powered missile at major trade shows as its DRADM concept. The 18cm (7in)-diameter mock-up for a next generation missile also was shown at Boeing's booth in the exhibit hall.

In addition to the DARPA work, Boeing also is known to have received three contracts from AFRL to develop three key technologies for a next-generation air dominance missile.

These include adaptable warheads that increase the lethal distance of the weapon, sensors that also serve as fuses for the warhead and reaction jet controls that allow the missile to intercept targets behind the launching platform.

The USAF had previously intended to launch full development of DRADM in Fiscal 2014, but the Pentagon's latest budget request may allow the service to accelerate contract award to 2013.

Speaking to the symposium audience on 16 February, Gen William Fraser, head of Air Combat Command, noted that the appearance of China's Chengdu J-20 underscores the need for key modernization programmes, including a next generation missile.

[See photos of the Raytheon and Boeing next generation missile concepts on The DEW Line blog.]

[sukhoi-30mki]

Raytheon

Boeing

[Yo-Yo]

The air-breathing of the Raytheon missile may help with long range, but without any forward canards it won’t be very maneouverable. Ditto the Boeing missile.

They both may work well as HARM replacements, but as AIM-120 replacements?

[spetznaz]

Interesting that Boeing would go for the solid-fuel rocket design, particularly considering the operational advantages of a Ramjet design like that of the Raytheon concept (or the near-operational Meteor BVRAAM to be used by the Europeans). They must have their reasons, but it does look interesting (from a non-informed perspective) considering what most forays into next-generation BVR missile propulsion have been oriented towards. Also, wasn’t there some talk of the US having the option of getting some Meteors?

[ThunderSleeps]

I'd be "concerned" about the flight envelope in which you could launch the Raytheon missile... You need a fair amount of airflow through a ramjet to light it off, right? Would this take away the tight turn and snap-shot at an approaching enemy? Or is there maybe a small rocket booster (a-la Tomahawks) to push it up to speed no-mater what the launch conditions? (eg. 0-0 launch capability)

That's an interesting thought... Just about every air-to-air missile has ended up with some kind of ground/ship launched variant. You'd need a solid fuel rocket boost on this...

[spetznaz]

I believe that may be a concern if it was a WVR missile (requiring the ability for immediate high G maneuverability, eg for high offbore shots behind the launch platform like the AIM9X/IrisT/Python5/Asraam etc), but this missile is a BVR along the lines of the Amraam/Meteor, only with the added capability to also take out SAM site radars. Thus the shot is at an enemy who is still quite some distance away rather than a knife fight in a phone booth, and in the BVR regime a ramjet missile has tremendous advantages (not only greater range, but far greater terminal energy that, according to comparisons between the Meteor and the Amraam, considerably enhance the pK and no escape zone). As for conversion to a SAM system, that is quite possible. India recently finished work on a SAM that has a ramjet, which again increases lethality over solid fuel motors since the missile is under boost for most to all of the flight to target.

[spetznaz]

Forgot to include the name of the Indian SAM with ramjet propulsion ...it is the Akash. That method of propulsion has certain key advantages, such as greater speed, range and maneuverability. Almost certain that whatever replaces the Standard in the navy will probably be ramjet propulsion.