LM Demonstrates Penetrator Performance During Final RATTLRS Sled Tests

MILTECH

The RATTLRS simulated penetrator warhead approaches a hardened bunker at a speed of more than mach 2 to successfully conclude sled testing. Credit: Lockheed Martin.

by Staff Writers
Palmdale CA (SPX) Oct 19, 2006
Lockheed Martin completed penetrator warhead sled tests to successfully conclude the high-speed payload employment testing component of its Revolutionary Approach To Time-critical Long Range Strike (RATTLRS) effort. RATTLRS is a supersonic, science and technology missile flight demonstrator sponsored by the Office of Naval Research.

A simulated nose and inlet structure of an air breathing cruise missile demonstrated warhead penetration performance and survivability against hardened bunkers. During the tests, the RATTLRS airframe was accelerated to supersonic speeds of greater than Mach 2. The warhead penetrated cleanly and completely through the concrete barriers. Recovered hardware shows that the warhead remained structurally intact.

This testing validates that lightweight penetrator warheads, when coupled with high-speed vehicles, provide the penetration depth of significantly heavier penetrators. According to Neil Kacena, vice president, Advanced Development Programs deputy, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, "With this third demonstration, the RATTLRS program has shown that integrated aero-propulsion technologies enable enhanced performance capability for a variety of missions including mobile, time sensitive targets and buried targets."

The sled test program is part of the overall risk reduction effort for RATTLRS, culminating in flight demonstrations in late 2007. Lockheed Martin conducted the supersonic sled test at the Holloman High Speed Sled Track in New Mexico. Previous sled tests addressed the high speed dispense of guided munitions, while this test demonstrated the performance capability of a high-speed penetrator warhead against a hardened target.

MILTECH

Engineers Shed Light On Crash Of Last Of Flying Aircraft Carriers

Stanford CA (SPX) Oct 19, 2006
The 1935 crash of the Navy zeppelin USS Macon off the California coast marked an inglorious end to a unique experiment in aviation. Four times longer than a modern Goodyear blimp, the Macon could carry 100 crewmembers, including pilots specially trained to fly small reconnaissance airplanes stowed in the zeppelin's massive hull. The giant airship was one of only two "flying aircraft carriers" ever built, and both went down in the ocean without ever seeing combat.

SUPERPOWERS US Will Use Full Range Of Military Might In Defense Of Japan Against North Korea Landmark Foreign Policy Opinion Poll Criticized Russia Asks US To Clarify Its Missile Defense Plans In Europe Russia Bending To China Over Expectations On North Korea	NUKEWARS Welcome To Planet Doctor Strangelove Nukes Could Spread If North Korea Not Stopped Says Rumsfeld North Korea Tells World Not To Follow US, Labels Sanctions "Declaration Of War" US Warns North Korea Against Second Nuclear Test
MISSILE NEWS Breakthrough Could Lead To New Warhead Technologies Command Destruct/Self Destruct Capability Tested In Surface-Launched AMRAAM Raytheon Awarded US Army Contract For Wireless Precision Assault Missiles Ukraine Seeks Missile Alliance With Israel	MISSILE DEFENSE Aerojet Wins SLIRBM Engine Development Contract Israel Probes Naval Missile Defense Failure Raytheon Sensor Offers Air Force Early Missile Warning Alternative Northrop Grumman Bids For Army Integrated Air And Missile Defense Battle Command System
AEROSPACE China Marks 50th Anniversary Of Aerospace Industry German-Chinese Aviation Opens New Horizons For Cooperation GAO Report On Progress Of Implementing Aerospace Recommendations US Air-Transportation System Must Become More Agile	UAV NEWS Northrop Grumman Enters Broad Area Maritime Surveillance Competition Video Imagery Delivered To Military Forces In Urban Combat AAI Corp Receives Unmanned Systems Contracts US Air Force To Study A Pilotless U-2
IRAQ WARS The Widening War In Iraq Updated Iraq Survey Affirms Earlier Mortality Estimates Assessing The New Iraqi Army In Late 2006 US Commander In Iraq Says No More Troops Needed Now	MILTECH Engineers Shed Light On Crash Of Last Of Flying Aircraft Carriers Northrop Grumman To Provide US Air Force With B-1 Radar Components LM Demonstrates Penetrator Performance During Final RATTLRS Sled Tests Boeing Completes Successful FAB-T Preliminary Design Review

The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2006 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA PortalReports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additionalcopyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement