Article Posted on : - Sep 03, 2010

Raytheon-Boeing Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM). A Raytheon Photo.

NEW MEXICO (BNS): Boeing and Raytheon together have successfully completed the second of three government-sponsored firings of the Joint Air-to-Ground Missile. The JAGM used its imaging infrared (IIR) guidance system to hit an armoured vehicle target at 4 kilometers (2.5 statute miles).

"This test demonstrates the reliability of our mature and proven uncooled IIR sensor, our uncooled IIR technology helps reduce the JAGM's complexity and dramatically reduces its total ownership cost by eliminating costly coolants and components," said Bob Francois, Raytheon vice president of Advanced Missiles and Unmanned Systems, in a Raytheon news release.

The enhanced operational capabilities and elimination of post-mission maintenance on cooling systems will benefit the soldiers.

The Raytheon-Boeing JAGM features a fully integrated tri-mode seeker that incorporates semi active laser, uncooled imaging infrared and millimeter wave guidance. The weapon leverages proven components from other Raytheon and Boeing programs, such as the Raytheon GBU-53/B Small Diameter Bomb II and the Boeing Brimstone.

The team recently conducted two successful company-funded tests of JAGM in April and a government-funded test June 28. During the most recent test, all three guidance systems operated simultaneously and provided telemetry data that enabled engineers to conduct further analysis of the weapon.

"Because Boeing builds two of JAGM's threshold platforms, and because our two companies are the world leaders in weapons integration, the Raytheon-Boeing team's weapon will provide a best-value solution to the warfighter," added Carl Avila, director of Boeing Advanced Weapons and Missile Systems.

The JAGM, designed to replace three legacy systems, offers the warfighter improved lethality, range, operational flexibility, supportability and cost savings compared with older weapons like the Hellfire missile.