Land & Air Systems
Affordable UAS Launched Missile Applications for Precision Surface Attack and Counter-UAS Operations
2 /
Land & Air Systems
Comparison between Forward Fired and Freefall Missiles
Forward Fired Missiles
Coverage far forward of launch point with footprint limited by:
Aircraft Heading
Launch altitude
Missile dynamics (gather, guide)
Provides limited support for ISTAR assets
Provides useful Air-to-Air Counter-UAS capability
Freefall Guided Missiles
All round coverage on ground from release position
Forward and rear boundaries fixed by launch altitude and dynamics
Provides the ability to attack targets being overflown, to the sides and
behind
Supports ISTAR asset in surveillance mode and engaging targets of
opportunity.
3 /
Land & Air Systems
Coverage for Lightweight Guided Missiles and Munitions
Freefall guided missile provides
the ability to attack targets being
overflown
Support ISTAR assets in
surveillance mode engaging
targets of opportunity.
Forward Fired Missiles have
coverage forward of launch point.
Limited support for ISTAR asset
Provides useful counter UAS
capability
Footprint for
Low Altitude
Release
High
Altitude
Low
Altitude High
Altitude
Forward Fired Missile
Freefall Guided Missile
Launch
Point
Launch
Point
4 /
Land & Air Systems
Missile Guidance Aspects
Surface Attack – Freefall LMM
Semi Active Laser terminal guidance provides
accurate target engagement
HOB provides effective warhead performance
against light and armoured vehicles,
“Technicals” and Mortar Launch positions
Top down attack provides excellent shaped
charge performance against heavy armoured
vehicles.
Surface Attack - Forward Fire Missile
LBR or SAL guided LMM
Counter UAS – Light Air-to-Air Missile
Laser Beam Riding Guidance for secure and
accurate targeting
Blast Fragmentation warhead coupled with laser
proximity fuze sufficient to neutralise UAV
threats
Land & Air Systems
Surface Attack with a Freefall Guided Missile
6 /
Land & Air Systems
Tactical UAV: Key Operational Requirements
Missions
Surveillance and Strike Capability
Payload
Up to 3 weapons per rail
Low drag/mass
Targets
Personnel in the open
Moving Vehicles
Soft Skinned platforms
Armoured vehicles
Lethality
Precision Strike
Low Collateral Damage
7 /
Land & Air Systems
Freefall LMM Characteristics
Precision attack
Shaped Charge/ Blast/ Frag
Warhead
Low collateral damage
Minimal impact on aircraft mission
Low Munition Mass
Low drag
3 missiles per rail
Efficient Combat Mass
Easy integration onto platforms
High Maturity
Re-use of LMM modules
8 /
Land & Air Systems
Freefall LMM Integration Options
1 munition per rail
For small UAV’s
SRU Mass = 0.5Kg
Hardpoint + Fairing
Minimal reduction on UAV endurance
2 munitions per rail
For larger UAS
Tandem configuration to minimise drag
Rail and release unit
Side by side configuration possible
9 /
Land & Air Systems
Freefall LMM Integration Options
3 munitions per rail
Tandem configuration to minimise
drag
3 station store carrier mass
Prosecute 3 targets c.f. 1 x Hellfire
Other configurations possible
4 off to 6 off munitions per M299 rail
Dependent on aircraft and mission
Land & Air Systems
Freefall LMM Status
11 /
Land & Air Systems
1st Campaign: Release from ~5000ft
12 /
Land & Air Systems
2nd Campaign: from 5000 ft
Alternative UAV
Captive carriage flights
Guided Missile Trial
Munition Released from altitude
Safe Separation
Guidance Established
Arming confirmed
Target impact close to Laser centre
13 /
Land & Air Systems
Warhead Safe Arming and Detonation on Impact
14 /
Land & Air Systems
Increment3 Live Drop (VIP Demo) 20/08/2014: FFW002
Live missile engagement against 4x4 vehicle
Impact and detonation observed close to designated spot
Warhead detonated on impact
Release from 5000ft at 80 knots
Land & Air Systems
UAS/Counter UAS capability “Counter UAS is a prevalent problem that we only think is going to get bigger”
Brigadier General, Jeff Colt, USA, Commander, Joint Unmanned Aircraft
System Center of Excellence
16 /
Land & Air Systems
Emergence of UAVs as an Air Defence threat
Increase in proportion of UAV
targets
Emergence of asymmetric
conflict
This drives new requirements
and approach for systems,
capability and logistics
Even a few enemy UAS can
cause airspace control to break
down.
A consistent enemy UAS threat
means that Air Superiority is
compromised.
“After all, the great defence against
aerial menace is to attack the enemy’s
aircraft as near as possible to their
point of departure.”
Winston Churchill, 5 Sept 1914
17 /
Land & Air Systems
Proliferation of UAV Targets
There is a growing imbalance
between the cost of a UAV and the
cost of the kill system employed.
The number of UAV targets is
increasing
Low radar/acoustic/IR Signature
Small dimensions
Complexity : surveillance/weapons
More countries with technology
Armed Tactical UAV’s
E.g. Chinese Armed UAV (CH-3) crash in
Nigeria, April 2015
Off axis/on axis capabilities
Precision guided glide munitions
Guided rockets
Surface attack weapons
Medium Altitude Long Endurance
UAV’s with surface attack weapons
18 /
Land & Air Systems
BAeS Fury armed with LMM
Captive Carry and Live
FireTrials
Conducted in Woomera,
Australia.
Full system test
conducted
Comms link prove out
System arming
Missile Power Up
Rocket Motor fire
Laser Transmitter power on
and operation
Safe Separation
Gather, Guide, Impact,
Destruct.
Conducted in association with BAeS
19 /
Land & Air Systems
Summary
Freefall LMM provides a cost effective,
accurate and lethal solution
Low Mass/ Low impact on Endurance
Precise
Effective Warhead
Low collateral damage
Load out options for optimium
performance
SAL Guidance complimentary with
existing in-service equipment
LMM Beam Riding Missile
Low risk/cost Counter-UAS capability
Proven Technologies
Low Risk, Cost Effective, Precision Strike,
Lethal Effect, Low Collateral Damage
