The U.S. Navy recently conducted a highly successful test launch of the Standoff Land Attack Missile – Expanded Response (SLAM-ER) to validate and verify a missile software upgrade which permits in-flight flex targeting.

The test was conducted at the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) test ranges in southern Calif. From an altitude of over 11,500 feet and a range of over 90 nautical miles, the F/A-18C piloted by Lt. Hume of the VX-9 test squadron, released the SLAM-ER. The missile was then chased until impact by an F/A-18F piloted by Cmdr. Burr of the VX-31 test squadron. As the missile neared the target area, seeker video was transmitted to the NAVAIR control room, and to three F/A-18s via the Advanced Weapon Datalink Pod as the missile flew to its primary and flex targets. Final control of the missile was taken by Lt. Cmdr. McFarland of the VX-30 test squadron.

As the missile was 3 nautical miles from the primary target, it sent a positive battle damage assessment image of a burning building, the intended target. The controlling aircraft then sent a land midcourse update designating the secondary target, after which the missile altered course to attack the new target located several miles away. Using the Stop Motion Aimpoint Update (SMAU) feature of SLAM-ER, the controlling pilot refined the missile’s aimpoint to the center of the base of the target, guiding the missile to a direct hit.

SMAU allows the pilot to momentarily “freeze” the missile target video image on his display screen and then operate an aimpoint cursor on a steady display to select the target impact point. This significantly improves the pilot's ability to select and update target aimpoints up to the final 0.5 nautical mile of the missile’s flight, and hit the critical node of the target.

“The success of this launch reinforces SLAM-ER’s reputation as the Navy’s most accurate strike weapon in addition to being the first strike weapon that can be retargeted post-launch,” said McFarland.

The ability to provide in-flight retargeting of a missile while it is enroute to the target area is the latest in the evolution of unique SLAM-ER capabilities. The next planned upgrade, to be fielded in 2005, is the ability of the missile to engage moving land targets from standoff distances.

The SLAM-ER program is managed by the Program Executive Office, Strike Weapons and Unmanned Aviation (PEO(W)) co-located at the NAVAIR complex in Patuxent
River, Maryland. The missile is manufactured by the Boeing Company located in St. Louis, Missouri.

NAVAIR provides advanced warfare technology through the efforts of a seamless, integrated, worldwide network of aviation technology experts. From professional training to carrier launch and recovery; from sensor data to precision targeting and real-time communications; from aircraft and weapons development to successful deployment and sustainment; NAVAIR provides dominant combat effects and matchless capabilities to the American warfighter.