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Low Cost Autonomous Attack System

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LOCAAS
Artist conception of LOCAAS
Typeloitering munition
Place of originUnited States
Production history
ManufacturerLockheed Martin
Specifications
Mass100 pounds (45 kg)
Length36 inches (91 cm)
Wingspan3 ft 10.5 in (1.181 m)
WarheadExplosively formed projectile
Warhead weight17 lb (7.7 kg)
EngineTechnical Directions TDI-J45G turbojet
30 lbf (0.13 kN) thrust
Operational
range
over 100 mi (160 km)
30 minute loiter time
Flight altitude750 feet (230 m)
Maximum speed 230 miles per hour (370 km/h)
Guidance
system
GPS/inertial midcourse
LADAR terminal
Launch
platform
Bomber aircraft; MGM-140 missiles

The Low Cost Autonomous Attack System (LOCAAS) was a loitering attack munition developed for the United States Air Force (USAF). In 1998 the USAF and U.S. Army Lockheed Martin began to examine the feasibility of a small, affordable cruise missile weapon for use against armoured and unarmoured vehicles, materiel and personnel, and if so develop a demonstration program.[1] The program cost approximately $150,000,000; the cost per unit was calculated to be $30,000 based on a production of 12,000 units before cancellation.

After being launched from a weapon platform, it is guided by GPS/INS to the target general area, where it can loiter. A laser radar (LIDAR or LADAR) illuminates the targets, determines their range, and matches their 3-D geometry with pre-loaded signatures. The LOCAAS system then selects the highest priority target and selects the warhead's mode for the best effect.[2]

The LOCAAS program was cancelled.

Specifications

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  • Weight: 100 lb (45 kg)
  • Length: 36 in (910 mm)
  • Speed: 200 knots (370 km/h)
  • Search altitude: 750 ft (230 m)
  • Footprint: 25 sq nmi (86 km2)
  • Motor: 30 lbf (130 N) thrust class turbojet.
  • Range: >100 nmi (190 km)
  • Loiter time: 30 min max.
  • Guidance: GPS/INS with LADAR terminal seeker
  • Warhead: 7.7 kg (17 lb) multi-mode explosively formed projectile (long rod penetrator, aerostable slug or fragmentation)[3]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Low Cost Autonomous Attack System - Global Security
  2. ^ Powered Low-Cost Autonomous Attack System - US Air Force Research Laboratory Archived 2006-10-18 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ Lockheed Martin LOCAAS - Designation Systems
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