The US Navy’s Naval Air Warfare Centre 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 modernising missile technology.
As disclosed, a BQM-34 unmanned aerial target remotely piloted during flight released a test missile over the Point Mugu Sea Range. Over 12 months, NAWCWD, as the lead prototype integrator, combined advanced propulsion, avionics, and fire control technologies into the technology demonstrator.
The test also integrated 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 modernising 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 manoeuvrability.
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.
It was concluded that 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.
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