Defense Technology International - May 2008 - (Page 9)

IRIS MISSILE PASSES LIVE-FIRE TEST Diehl BGT Defense teamed with Saab Microwave Systems to demonstrate the new Iris-T SLS short-range air-defense missile system during a live ﬁring at the OTB Test Range in South Africa in March. Ofﬁcials from more than seven nations witnessed the direct-hit of a maneuvering drone after the missile locked onto the target more than 10 km. (6.2 mi.) out. The SLS system vertically launches Iris-T missiles from a lightweight all-terrain truck. Iris-T is a relatively short-range, infrared-guided, air-to-air missile with offboresight engagement capability, and is being delivered to seven European customers. During the test, the missile received target cues from a Saab Giraffe AMB air-defense radar, which provides air surveillance out to more than 100 km. and an altitude of 20 km. The radar tracks 150 targets simultaneously. Diehl says that in surface-launch mode, the solid-propellant missile has operational ranges “well in excess of 10 km.” The vertical launch, combined with a wide missile-seeker viewing angle, assures 360-deg. air-space coverage. The missile’s kinematic performance, notably its rapid turnover after launch, reduces the minimum engagement range to “hundreds of meters” from the ﬁring unit, Diehl claims. ■ DIEHL ISRAEL TAPS UAV FOR MARITIME PATROL Israel is ﬁ elding a new unmanned aerial vehicle for maritime patrol called Heron-1, equipped with an EL/M-2022U multimode maritime surveillance radar from IAI/Elta. The system replaces the Westwind Seascans, which have been in service for nearly three decades. Developer IAI/Malat says the Heron-1’s extended mission capability will substantially reduce the need for piloted naval surveillance operations. Desribed as a “mini-AWACS” for its performance, the system can ﬂy for more than 20 hr. at up to 30,000 ft., and travel 1,000 km. (621 mi.) offshore. The radar detects targets to the horizon. Detection range increases with the altitude of the UAV. Using miniature payloads, the Heron-1 is said to provide the same detection qualities of much larger surveillance platforms. ■ ISRAEL AEROSPACE INDUSTRIES CONCEPT ENTERPRISE IN DRYDOCK FOR LAST REFURBISHMENT USS Enterprise (CVN 65) has been a mainstay of naval airpower for 47 years and, based on a recent maintenance contract, will remain in ﬁghting trim for at least another decade. Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding received a $453.3-million contract to refurbish the ship over 16 months. The Enterprise arrived at the company’s Newport News, Va., facility on Apr. 11. Northrop Grumman is the prime contractor, and will oversee work on the ship and its systems. Despite its age, the Enterprise, the world’s ﬁrst nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and at one time the largest in service (93,500 tons), will continue operations until its scheduled retirement by Ford-class carriers (CVN-21) in seven or eight years. The ship returned in December from a six-month deployment to the Persian Gulf in support of operations in Iraq. ■ MAY 2008 DEFENSE TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL 9 NORTHROP GRUMMAN AviationWeek.com/dti http://AviationWeek.com/dti

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Defense Technology International - May 2008 Contents Around the World Science Watch Tech Watch Learn and Live Think Again Vive la Difference En Route Out of the Box Package Deal On Watch Inside Job Programs Update The Net Back to the Future Busy Signal Mighty Mites Hull of an Idea Tough Enough Cutting Edge First Person In Review Insight

Defense Technology International - May 2008

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