The US military is using this up, huh?
By John Keller
REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala., 1 July 2015. (click here)
U.S. Army missile experts are asking Lockheed Martin Corp to ramp-up production of the AGM-114R Hellfire missile, which can be launched from manned and unmanned aircraft, surface ships, and military ground vehicles.
Officials of the Army Contracting Command at Redstone Arsenal, Ala., awarded a contract modification last week to the Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control segment in Orlando, Fla., to increase Hellfire II missile production from 500 all-up rounds per month to 550 and 650 per month.
The contract covers non-recurring engineering tooling, test equipment, and labor necessary to ramp-up production of variants of the Hellfire II air-to-ground missile....
The less people between the US military and the manufacturers of their equipment the more efficient the outcomes. It is important the military has the expertise to speak to manufacturing. It is important manufacturers listen and if necessary as the US military for schematics and/or specifications. The military should understand their equipment and verbalize complaints for any poor or unexpected performance. No middle merchant or engineer. It is more cost effective as well.
And, yes, these are dangerous weapons mounted on unmanned drones.
...Hellfires also are the missile of choice for several kinds of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) such as the MQ-1B Predator, MQ-9 Reaper, and MQ-1C Grey Eagle. Eventually these missiles may arm U.S. military unmanned helicopters.
The AGM-114R Hellfire II Romeo RX missile will use a semi-active laser guidance system and an integrated blast fragmentation sleeve warhead to engage targets that previously needed several Hellfire variants to destroy.
These missiles can seek out their targets autonomously or with designation from remote laser designators. The missile has a three–axis inertial measurement unit to enable it to attack targets from the side and behind.
The AGM-114R can be launched from higher altitudes than previous variants because of its enhanced guidance and navigation capabilities. With its multi–purpose warhead, the missile can destroy hard, soft, and enclosed targets....
By John Keller
REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala., 1 July 2015. (click here)
U.S. Army missile experts are asking Lockheed Martin Corp to ramp-up production of the AGM-114R Hellfire missile, which can be launched from manned and unmanned aircraft, surface ships, and military ground vehicles.
Officials of the Army Contracting Command at Redstone Arsenal, Ala., awarded a contract modification last week to the Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control segment in Orlando, Fla., to increase Hellfire II missile production from 500 all-up rounds per month to 550 and 650 per month.
The contract covers non-recurring engineering tooling, test equipment, and labor necessary to ramp-up production of variants of the Hellfire II air-to-ground missile....
The less people between the US military and the manufacturers of their equipment the more efficient the outcomes. It is important the military has the expertise to speak to manufacturing. It is important manufacturers listen and if necessary as the US military for schematics and/or specifications. The military should understand their equipment and verbalize complaints for any poor or unexpected performance. No middle merchant or engineer. It is more cost effective as well.
And, yes, these are dangerous weapons mounted on unmanned drones.
...Hellfires also are the missile of choice for several kinds of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) such as the MQ-1B Predator, MQ-9 Reaper, and MQ-1C Grey Eagle. Eventually these missiles may arm U.S. military unmanned helicopters.
The AGM-114R Hellfire II Romeo RX missile will use a semi-active laser guidance system and an integrated blast fragmentation sleeve warhead to engage targets that previously needed several Hellfire variants to destroy.
These missiles can seek out their targets autonomously or with designation from remote laser designators. The missile has a three–axis inertial measurement unit to enable it to attack targets from the side and behind.
The AGM-114R can be launched from higher altitudes than previous variants because of its enhanced guidance and navigation capabilities. With its multi–purpose warhead, the missile can destroy hard, soft, and enclosed targets....
