http://www.ndia.org/meetings/2610/Pages/default.aspx

13668

Title: Abstract Text:

Enabling effective introduction of next generation small payload capabilities

Presented to

NDIA Joint Armament Conference 2012

15th May 2012

John Eaton
Director, Design
EDO MBM Technology Ltd
 john.eaton@exelisinc.com

Reviewing trends in new platforms has determined that truly flexible responses require new approaches to the delivery of small non traditional weapons from non traditional airframes involved in the kill chain.

This change is being driven by the real world challenges of Pace, Performance and Politics where a cold war budget planning cycle would appear to be a luxury that has disappeared forever. The introduction of next generation capabilities onto new airborne platforms requires an ongoing employment of key enabling technologies to provide the warfighter the constant continuous improvement of capability that the emerging threat demands.

The paper focuses in onto how workable “best of class” technologies enable the introduction of micro payloads onto non traditional ISR and weapons platforms to deliver high integrity means of safe carriage and release of micro weapons.

The drive of micro weapons onto specifically COIN and ISR manned and unmanned platforms required a complete systems level review of what the interface from platform to payload demands and how safety protocols demanded by fast jet air vehicles can be supported on low technology platforms.

The paper reviews some works to date in this area and reviews how best practices and system level thinking is essential as small weapons not only become more complex but available for use on such a wide array of airborne and cross forces platforms.

The works to date tracks specifically ITT R&D projects (WASP and HORNET) and how they have succeeded in delivering common system building blocks independent of the weapon system.

The systems have been utilised in trials mimicking next generation armed ISR platforms (both manned and unmanned) with a variety of payloads ranging from sub ten pound munitions to resupply systems for distributing equipment to the field.

In summary the paper aims to deliver an understanding from the author of the following main areas: - Impact of air integration onto delivering rapid capability upgrades - Systems level “best in class” technologies enabling small ISR platforms - Lessons learnt to date from ITT IRAD works to date on micro payload development