Raytheon to build 114 command launch computers to help HARM radar-killing missiles home-in on their targets
PATUXENT RIVER NAS, Md. – Aerial weapons experts at the Raytheon Co. will provide the U.S. Navy with launch computers for air-launched radar-killing missiles under terms of a $17.8 million contract announced Wednesday.
Officials of the Naval Air Systems Command at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Md., are asking the Raytheon Missile Systems segment in Tucson, Ariz., to provide 114 command launch computers for the AGM-88B High Speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM).
The CP-1001B/C HARM command launch computer is an electronics subsystem installed aboard combat aircraft to interface with the AGM-88 A/B/C HARM missile. The launch computer and software package are compatible with all AGM-88 A/B/C missiles.
The HARM missile is designed to destroy or disable enemy air-defense radar systems. The missile homes-in on an enemy radar signal, remembers the radar's location in case the enemy turns it off, and attacks.
The command launch computer receives target data from the missiles and onboard avionics, processes the data to be shown on aircraft displays, determines target priority, and collects aircraft data for pre-launch hand-off to the AGM-88 HARM missile.
The command launch computer determines time coincidence between the AGM-88 HARM missile and radar warning receiver directional data and pulse repetition intervals and formats. The computer processes the identification data to perform target identification, prioritization, and display information.
The command launch computer generates targeting commands to the AGM-88 HARM missile for appropriate target and provides targeting and guidance information for the AGM-88 to target of interest on offensive attack missions.
The AGM-88 HARM missile is for all variants of the F/A-18, Tornado, EA-18G, F-16, EA-6B, and F-35 (external) combat jets. It features an advanced, digital, anti-radiation homing sensor, millimeter wave radar terminal seeker, and GPS/INS guidance.
The missile provides the ability to engage and destroy enemy air defenses and time-critical, mobile targets. It can detect, attack, and destroy a radar antenna or transmitter with minimal aircrew input. It has a fixed antenna and seeker head in the missile's nose.
A solid-propellant rocket motor propels the missile at speeds faster than Mach 2.0. The HARM missile project was led by the U.S. Navy, and first was first carried by the A-6E, A-7, F/A-18A/B, and EA-6B aircraft. The U.S. Air Force put the HARM onto the F-4G Wild Weasel aircraft, and later on specialized F-16s.
On this contract Raytheon will do the work in Tucson, Ariz., and should be finished by October 2021. For more information contact Raytheon Missile Systems online at www.raytheon.com, or Naval Air Systems Command at www.navair.navy.mil.
John Keller | Editor-in-Chief
John Keller is the Editor-in-Chief, Military & Aerospace Electronics Magazine--provides extensive coverage and analysis of enabling electronics and optoelectronic technologies in military, space and commercial aviation applications. John has been a member of the Military & Aerospace Electronics staff since 1989 and chief editor since 1995.
