Joint Common Missile Flies on AH-64D Apache Longbow
Lockheed Martin has successfully integrated and flown the Joint Common Missile instrumented measurement vehicles (IMVs) on the Boeing AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopter, validating the physical and environmental interface between the missile, the M299 missile launcher and the helicopter platform.
The IMV is outfitted with sensors and instrumentation to record the environments the missile must operate under during flights. It contains an inert warhead and rocket motor to simulate a tactical round in flight.
“Successful measurement of the environments that the JCM will experience on its target platforms during pre-launch and launch operations is an important step in successful integration,” said Steve Barnoske, JCM program director at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “JCM provides extended standoff range for all four platforms that will maximize crew survivability.”
By: sferrin - 15th September 2005 at 03:22
Not only that but you’ll only be making one guidance set so the cost advantages of scale come into play. Also you don’t ever run into the problem of “damn I wish I had the other seeker”. The tri-mode is a strrong advantage for Lockheed in the second phase of the SDB program.
By: SteveO - 14th September 2005 at 16:02
A tri-mode seeker wouldn’t be necessary for every situation but it is certainly worth having if the price is right. Having imaging infrared, semi-active laser and millimeter wave radar guidance all in one package gives you options on how and what targets you can attack.
IIR is a passive fire and forget system and good for covert attacks and moving targets.
MMW is a active fire and forget system and good for bad weather and moving targets.
SAL is a point and shoot system and good for attacking pinpoint targets that IIR and MMW are not suitable for (buildings, caves, etc).
IIR and MMW also give a target recognition capability that allows missiles to be sent to a area where they search for their own targets.
By: Spectral - 13th September 2005 at 21:55
I dunno, I don’t have that faith on the tri-mode seeker. Is it really necessary in every situation to have a tri-mode seeker, wouldn’t a single or two-mode one suffice, while being cheaper ? :confused:
It seems a nice gadget, but somehow I doubt it’s usefulness for a system that was designed to replace Hellfires and Mavericks ( and maybe even Tows?).
By: SteveO - 13th September 2005 at 15:51
JCM is finished – killed on the Hill. LM is finishing off what remains of its contracted funding and issuing lots of press releases to make as big a fuss as possible about the work achieved so far. It will be useful for something – especially the tri-mode seeker.
That tri-mode seeker looks set to become the ideal sensor for a lot of weapons.
By: bring_it_on - 10th September 2005 at 08:13
What i make of it was that the QDR would decide what is to be of the JCM…as the proposal was to cut it but it still had to go to the senate/congress…didnt follow it from there on in…Would be a silly move to cancel the JCM when there are so many other things of less importance but equal cost that can be clipped.!
By: YellowSun - 10th September 2005 at 00:16
JCM is finished – killed on the Hill. LM is finishing off what remains of its contracted funding and issuing lots of press releases to make as big a fuss as possible about the work achieved so far. It will be useful for something – especially the tri-mode seeker.
YS
By: danrh - 7th September 2005 at 09:28
Didnt they cut the funding for the JCM for the next FY
That was my understanding. I had a Janes story on it somewhere. It may have been that Congress voted not to fund or some such though while the administration wants to continue? Silly American system of government 🙂
Daniel
By: bring_it_on - 6th September 2005 at 16:18
Didnt they cut the funding for the JCM for the next FY
By: SteveO - 6th September 2005 at 16:14
Lots of JCM pics and videos here http://www.missilesandfirecontrol.com/our_products/antiarmor/JCM/product-jcm.html
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September 6, 2005 at 3:49 pm