Wind tunnel tests for missile

Wind tunnel tests for missile

BY RICHARD SCOTT

Raytheon Missile Systems (Stand 03-B07) has completed an extensive programme of wind tunnel testing for the extendedrange version of the AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to- Air Missile (AMRAAM) as part of qualification for integration with the NASAMS surface-to-air missile system.

The new AMRAAM-ER variant introduces a larger rocket motor and new flight control algorithms to afford NASAMS a significantly expanded engagement envelope; according to Raytheon, the new missile offers a 50 per cent increase in maximum range, and a 70 per cent increase in altitude performance.

The NASAMS system, manufactured by Raytheon and Norwegian partner Kongsberg, is the most widely used shortand medium-range air defence system in NATO. Employing the AMRAAM effector, NASAMS is a netted and distributed system built around multiple Sentinel X-band 3D radars and associated fire distribution centres (FDC).

With the HAWK mediumrange guided missile system coming to the end of its life, a number of nations are examining requirements for a replacement capability. Raytheon believes it can provide a highly capable yet costeffective solution by introducing the new AMRAAM-ER effector into the NASAMS system alongside the existing sensor and FDC building blocks.

As part of the AMRAAM- ER qualification programme, the missile aerodynamics were subjected to more than 1,700 rigorous wind tunnel tests, completing last month.

“During these tests, we put AMRAAM-ER through a full range of potential flight conditions to validate the missile’s future performance on the battlefield,” said Kim Ernzen, Raytheon’s vice president for Air Warfare Systems. Raytheon engineers will now analyse data from the wind tunnel test runs to verify and update the AMRAAM-ER missile’s aerodynamic models to maximise its performance.

Military spending soars

Local and international companies were awarded contracts worth AED4.9 billion (approximately US$1.35 billion), it was announced on the opening day of IDEX 2019. IDEX spokesman Brigadier Mohammed Khamis Al Hassani, along with NAVDEX spokesman Colonel Fahd Nasser Al-Dhahli, said deals were made with 15 foreign firms and 18 domestic companies. The contracts include: the purchase of Patriot missiles from USA-based Raytheon, valued at AED1.3 billion; naval and land systems from Australia’s EOS Defence for AED1.1 billion; additional capabilities to be supplied by Lockheed Martin to the UAE Air Force’s radar capabilities, worth AED404 million; and technical support by Switzerlandbased Rheinmetall Air Defence for the SkyGuard system.

Russia secured an AED147 million Kornet-EM 150 missile contract and India’s Ordnance Factory a 155mm artillery ammunition deal. Jordan’s King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau scored an AED205 million contract to provide missiles and training rounds for the UAE Army and for South Africa’s Paramount Group for its Mbombe armoured vehicles.

Domestic companies also won orders, such as IGG for the supply of military clothing accessories totalling AED300 million and the installation of electronic shooting systems, worth AED95 million. Knowledge Point won an AED239 million deal to provide advisory services to the UAE Armed Forces. Al-Fattan Ship Industry will supply naval vessels worth AED56 million and Deena Shipping a training vessel and training services worth AED99 million.