Low Cost Autonomous Attack System
Small submunition-type missile
Maximum speed Guidance
system
system
LADAR terminal
Launch
platform
platform
The Low Cost Autonomous Attack System (LOCAAS) was a loitering attack munition developed for the United States Air Force (USAF). In 1998 the USAF and U.S. Army Lockheed Martin began to examine the feasibility of a small, affordable cruise missile weapon for use against armoured and unarmoured vehicles, materiel and personnel, and if so develop a demonstration program.[1] The program cost approximately $150,000,000; the cost per unit was calculated to be $30,000 based on a production of 12,000 units before cancellation.
After being launched from a weapon platform, it is guided by GPS/INS to the target general area, where it can loiter. A laser radar (LIDAR or LADAR) illuminates the targets, determines their range, and matches their 3-D geometry with pre-loaded signatures. The LOCAAS system then selects the highest priority target and selects the warhead's mode for the best effect.[2]
The LOCAAS program was cancelled.
Specifications
- Weight: 100 lb (45 kg)
- Length: 36 in (910 mm)
- Speed: 200 knots (370 km/h)
- Search altitude: 750 ft (230 m)
- Footprint: 25 sq nmi (86 km2)
- Motor: 30 lbf (130 N) thrust class turbojet.
- Range: >100 nmi (190 km)
- Loiter time: 30 min max.
- Guidance: GPS/INS with LADAR terminal seeker
- Warhead: 7.7 kg (17 lb) multi-mode explosively formed projectile (long rod penetrator, aerostable slug or fragmentation)[3]
See also
- Vertical Launch Autonomous Attack System (VLAAS)
- Surveilling Miniature Attack Cruise Missile
- GBU-53/B Small Diameter Bomb II
References
- ^ Low Cost Autonomous Attack System - Global Security
- ^ Powered Low-Cost Autonomous Attack System - US Air Force Research Laboratory Archived 2006-10-18 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Lockheed Martin LOCAAS - Designation Systems
External links
- Low Cost Autonomous Attack System - Defense Update
- LOCAAS-Deagel
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