US Air Force nominates JASSM missile to host CHAMP payload

[F-22Raptor]

The head of the Air Force Research Laboratory has nominated Lockheed Martin’s stealthy, long-range Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM-ER) as the optimal air vehicle to carry a new computer-killing electronic attack payload known as CHAMP, or Counter-electronics High-powered microwave Advanced Missile Project.

Major general Thomas Masiello says the technology, which fries electronic equipment with bursts of high-power microwave energy, is mature and will be miniaturised to suite the JASSM-ER.

“That’s an operational system already in our tactical air force, and that is really what will make us more operationally relevant,” Masiello says at a science and technology exposition at the Pentagon on 14 May. “Both the major commands and the combatant commands are very interested in that weapon system. It’s a non-kinetic effect.”

The electronic warfare payload was jointly developed by the laboratory and Boeing using critical components produced by Raytheon. The weapon was flight tested in 2012 on an AGM-86 Conventional Air-Launched Cruise Missile – an air vehicle tagged for retirement and demilitarization.

Some US lawmakers have questioned why it has taken the air force so long to field CHAMP, and even passed legislation ordering the air force to produce a tactical system by 2016. “This is not a limitation on technology, authority or funding,” said congressman Richard Nugent at a recent congressional hearing.

The research laboratory tested the counter-electronics device on the cruise missile at a military test range in Utah, where it successfully shut down a room full of computers. The effect similar to the electromagnetic pulse from a high-altitude nuclear explosion.

USAF nominates JASSM missile to host new computer-killing weapon - 5/14/2015 - Flight Global

 

[jammersat]

Where do you want to use it ?

 

[Penguin]

The head of the Air Force Research Laboratory has nominated Lockheed Martin’s stealthy, long-range Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM-ER) as the optimal air vehicle to carry a new computer-killing electronic attack payload known as CHAMP, or Counter-electronics High-powered microwave Advanced Missile Project.

Interesting. It also forms the basis of the LRASM-A antiship missile. Although the LRASM is based on the JASSM-ER, which has a range of 500 nmi (930 km; 580 mi), the addition of the sensor and other features will somewhat decrease that range. Some naval advisors, however, have proposed increasing the LRASM's capabilities to serve dual functions as a ship-based land attack weapon in addition to anti-ship roles. By reducing the size of its 1,000 lb (450 kg) warhead to increase range from some 300 mi (480 km) to 1,000 mi (1,600 km), the missile would still be powerful enough destroy or disable warships while having the reach to hit inland targets. With the proper guidance system, a single missile would increase the Navy's flexibility rather than needing two missiles specialized for different roles.

Coincidence?