LOw-cost Guided Imaging Rocket (LOGIR) moves a step closer to the fleet
UNITED STATES - 10 JUNE 2010
The LOw-cost Guided Imaging Rocket (LOGIR) completed its concept demonstration phase in May with a successful launch and direct hit at the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD) Point Mugu sea range.
It was our graduation exercise and it was a complete success, said Howard McCauley, head of the Precision Guidance Office in NAWCWDs Weapons and Energetics Department (4.7). We have shown that the LOGIR concept is feasible and its technology is mature enough to transition into a program of record.
The LOGIR demonstration was funded as part of the Office of Naval Researchs Future Naval Capabilities Low-Cost Imaging Terminal Seeker (LCITS) program and was executed by NAVAIR Code 4.7s Emergent Weapons Concepts Division.
The test, called Guided Round #3 (GR #3), involved an air launch of a guided 2.75" rocket against a moving Fast Inshore Attack Craft (FIAC) target. An Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Three One (VX-31) AH-1W attack helicopter equipped with a LOGIR Fire Control System and LOGIR Smart Launcher served as the launch aircraft.
The pilot flew a run in at the target, brought the aircraft into a hover and then fired the weapon. Prior to firing, the targets position and velocity vector were transferred to the weapon from the launcher. The weapon used that information to navigate to the target area, acquire the target, and then track the target. This tracking brought the inert rocket to a direct hit on the target almost dead center.
The data from GR #3 is still being evaluated, but we do know that we have the correct system design and have validated some important components of our simulations, McCauley said.
GR #3 officially shifted the LOGIR project from LCITS into the Medusa Joint Capability Technology Demonstration phase. A Military Utility Assessment will be conducted during Medusa to further LOGIR along the path to fleet introduction.
LOGIR was conceived in 1999 when the need for a capability to defeat small, moving maritime targets was identified. With support from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Office of the Secretary of Defense and ONR, the LOGIR team conducted a series of successful tests gradually demonstrating critical elements of the concept. The Republic of Korea also teamed with the U.S. in this co-development between the two countries, which helped to improve the LOGIR systems aerodynamic performance and to lower the overall design cost.
Because of a true team effort from all of our partners, LOGIR will provide an important capability for the fleet to defeat the FIAC threat, McCauley said.
An Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Three One AH-1W attack helicopter (U.S. Navy) launches a LOw-cost Guided Imaging Rocket (LOGIR) during a test at the NAWCWD Point Mugu sea range in May.
UNITED STATES - 10 JUNE 2010
The LOw-cost Guided Imaging Rocket (LOGIR) completed its concept demonstration phase in May with a successful launch and direct hit at the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD) Point Mugu sea range.
It was our graduation exercise and it was a complete success, said Howard McCauley, head of the Precision Guidance Office in NAWCWDs Weapons and Energetics Department (4.7). We have shown that the LOGIR concept is feasible and its technology is mature enough to transition into a program of record.
The LOGIR demonstration was funded as part of the Office of Naval Researchs Future Naval Capabilities Low-Cost Imaging Terminal Seeker (LCITS) program and was executed by NAVAIR Code 4.7s Emergent Weapons Concepts Division.
The test, called Guided Round #3 (GR #3), involved an air launch of a guided 2.75" rocket against a moving Fast Inshore Attack Craft (FIAC) target. An Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Three One (VX-31) AH-1W attack helicopter equipped with a LOGIR Fire Control System and LOGIR Smart Launcher served as the launch aircraft.
The pilot flew a run in at the target, brought the aircraft into a hover and then fired the weapon. Prior to firing, the targets position and velocity vector were transferred to the weapon from the launcher. The weapon used that information to navigate to the target area, acquire the target, and then track the target. This tracking brought the inert rocket to a direct hit on the target almost dead center.
The data from GR #3 is still being evaluated, but we do know that we have the correct system design and have validated some important components of our simulations, McCauley said.
GR #3 officially shifted the LOGIR project from LCITS into the Medusa Joint Capability Technology Demonstration phase. A Military Utility Assessment will be conducted during Medusa to further LOGIR along the path to fleet introduction.
LOGIR was conceived in 1999 when the need for a capability to defeat small, moving maritime targets was identified. With support from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Office of the Secretary of Defense and ONR, the LOGIR team conducted a series of successful tests gradually demonstrating critical elements of the concept. The Republic of Korea also teamed with the U.S. in this co-development between the two countries, which helped to improve the LOGIR systems aerodynamic performance and to lower the overall design cost.
Because of a true team effort from all of our partners, LOGIR will provide an important capability for the fleet to defeat the FIAC threat, McCauley said.
An Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Three One AH-1W attack helicopter (U.S. Navy) launches a LOw-cost Guided Imaging Rocket (LOGIR) during a test at the NAWCWD Point Mugu sea range in May.
