Lockheed Martin has demonstrated the survivability of its joint air-to-ground missile (JAGM) minimum-smoke rocket motor on fixed-wing aircraft during adverse weather conditions.
During the tests, the minimum-smoke motor and the propellant charge were put through multiple temperature shock cycles to simulate the extreme edges of the fixed-wing flight environment.
The two static-fired test motors, despite harsh conditions, achieved a thrust ratio approximately twice the boost / sustain motors.
Aerojet tactical systems vice-president John Myers said that the thrust ratio enables JAGM to achieve ranges beyond those of any current equivalent missiles.
The minimum-smoke rocket motor makes it difficult for the enemy ground combatants to track the missile’s trail back to the aircraft.
The JAGM rocket motors were designed by Aerojet while the propellants were designed by Roxel.
The US Army’s AH-64D Apache attack helicopter, MQ-1C Gray Eagle unmanned aerial system (UAS), and OH-58D cockpit and sensor upgrade (CASUP) Kiowa Warrior armed reconnaissance helicopter are intended to carry the JAGM.
The JAGM initial operational capability (IOC) on the Apache, Viper and Super Hornet is scheduled for 2017.
