Posted by Courtney Howard
HAIFA, Israel, 3 Dec. 2009. Engineers at Elbit Systems Ltd. and Alliant Techsystems have conducted flight tests of the Guided Advanced Tactical Rocket (GATR) from a U.S. Army rotary-wing helicopter: the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior.
The tests took place during a U.S. Aviation Applied Technology Directorate (AATD) demonstration, conducted at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. GATR was fired from a Kiowa Warrior helicopter using "lock-on before launch" to engage targets exceeding 5 kilometers. The multiple laser-designated guided test flights, launched from a standard 2.75-inch launcher, resulted in direct impacts on all targets. The pilot of the OH-58 was able to confirm lock-on of the GATR prior to launch, says a representative.
"The cooperation with ATK, and the synergy from both companies' highly advanced technologies, enabled us to bring to market cutting-edge, precise munitions to answer the requirements of today's combat arena," says Ran Hellerstein, co-general manager of Elbit Systems' Aerospace Division.
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