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Library > Fact Sheets > Air Dominance Missile technology
AIR DOMINANCE MISSILE TECHNOLOGY
Posted 4/23/2010
Printable Fact Sheet
The Air Dominance (AD) Missile Capability Concepts area is focused, in the near- and mid-term, on developing advanced technologies that could enable a multi-role missile capability to ensure total control of the airspace, allowing friendly air assets to operate uncontested, from either airborne or ground-launched threats.
This is being accomplished by focusing on technologies that will provide the ability to detect, identify, engage and neutralize adversary air threats and ground-based air defenses before they can be employed against friendly air assets. Targets include adversary fixed-wing aircraft, rotorcraft, unmanned air vehicles, cruise missiles, and ground-based fixed or re-locatable air defense systems. These multi-role missiles will be capable of internal carriage in 5th generation fighters, such as F-22 and F-35.
In the far-term, the Air Dominance Capability Concepts area will focus on developing technologies that could enable a self-defense capability for friendly aircraft. A comparatively small, extremely agile missile system is envisioned that could be part of a "last-ditch" defensive suite providing large, slow-maneuvering aircraft such as long-range strike bombers, tankers, and transports the capability of active defense against ground and airborne threats. In addition, such a close-in self-defense missile, due to its reduced size and weight, could provide increased weapon load-out options for friendly fighter/attack aircraft, since not all engagements would require the longer range and other capabilities of the air dominance missile described above.
The Air Dominance Capability Concepts area is currently pursuing a number of technologies that would enable next generation air dominance missiles to achieve these goals. Advanced adaptable warhead technology will increase warhead lethal distance, providing the capability to defeat smaller, highly-agile targets, and selected ground-based air defense targets.
Guidance Integrated Fuzing (GIF) will provide improved target detection information to support advanced warhead concepts. Hybrid AeroFin / Reaction Jet Control (RJC) technology will improve missile airframe agility, allowing rear hemisphere intercepts, and increasing the adversary's "no escape zone." Advanced Propulsion technology will focus on improved energy management, increasing missile range for both air and ground engagements.
The integration of the Advanced Propulsion and Guidance and Control System technologies will expand the missile's operational envelope, enabling full-spherical, minimum-time intercept capability against extremely agile air targets both within and beyond visual range. These combined technologies will provide the warfighter with the capability to rapidly destroy or neutralize air targets and ground-based air defenses at greater distances from the launch aircraft, enhancing survival and mission effectiveness.
Point of Contact: Mr. Mark McClure (850) 883-2695 E-mail mark.mcclure@eglin.af.mil
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