Article Posted on : - Jun 22, 2010

Scorpion is the warfighter's answer to precision attack using a small, lethal warhead against targets in areas requiring low collateral damage. A Lockheed Martin photo

ORLANDO (BNS): Ejecting at an altitude of 5,000 feet through a Common Launch Tube from a C-130 aircraft, Scorpion successfully deployed its fins and wing, allowing it to precisely glide 1.65 nautical miles to the target during a recent test flight.

Scorpion is an unpowered, lightweight, compact munition that provides the Warfighter with an affordable strike option against a broad target set.

Utilizing a Global Positioning System and Inertial Navigation System to locate the target area, Scorpion employed its Semi-Active Laser (SAL) seeker to strike the laser-designated target.

Scorpion is adaptable to multiple launch platforms, including manned and unmanned systems and has a maximum range of over 10 nautical miles.

“This precision attack munition features a small, lethal warhead which can be launched from a wide variety of platforms to take out time-critical fixed or moving targets,” said Randy Bigum, vice president of Strike Weapons for Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control.

Scorpion uses a SAL seeker for man-in-the-loop terminal guidance, and can be tailored to use planned, imaging infrared, shortwave infrared or millimeter wave seekers.

The precision provided by these seeker types ensures accuracy to less than one meter and dramatically reduces the possibility of collateral damage, a Lockheed Martin statement said.