The US Navy’s Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division has air-launched a solid fuel integral rocket ramjet (SFIRR) from an unmanned vehicle for the first time, making an important step toward modernizing missile technology.
As disclosed, a BQM-34 unmanned aerial target, which was remotely piloted during flight, released a test missile over the Point Mugu Sea Range. As the lead prototype integrator, NAWCWD combined advanced propulsion, avionics and fire control technologies into the technology demonstrator over 12 months.
The test also integrated the use of a fire control system on a BQM-34 unmanned target vehicle for live firing, demonstrating advancements in “high-speed, long-range weapon capabilities”.
“This successful integration validates key aspects of our design and moves us closer to delivering an advanced propulsion system that will provide warfighters with greater range and speed,” said Abbey Horning, product director of NAWCWD’s Advanced Concepts, Prototyping and Experimentation office.
The navy noted that although solid fuel ramjet technology is not new, this test proves its relevance to the modern battlefield.
“We’re not just revisiting an old idea; we’re refining and modernizing it to fit today’s mission,” Horning added.
Furthermore, SFIRR simplifies missile propulsion by eliminating the complexity found in liquid fuel ramjet propulsion. This significantly reduces weight, allowing missiles to carry more payload and travel greater distances with increased maneuverability.
Ephraim Washburn, deputy director for energetics at NAWCWD, noted that technology evolution occurs across many industries. He compared SFIRR advancements to automotive improvements, where early designs laid a foundation, and ongoing developments continue to enhance performance.
These recent advances are part of the US Navy’s ongoing efforts to ensure technological advancements. NAWCWD collaborates across government, industry and academia to deliver propulsion innovations.
Lessons learned from recent tests directly informed the development of a next-generation missile prototype aimed at enhancing speed, range and operational flexibility for future Navy strike capabilities, it was concluded.
Follow Naval Today on:
The post US Navy air-launches next-gen missile from unmanned vehicle appeared first on Naval Today.
