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-15s may carry Patriot missiles
"Air Force fighter jets laden with Patriot missiles may one day help shoot down incoming ballistic missiles, Lockheed Martin officials said.
Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control is working with the U.S. Missile Defense Agency to put Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missiles under the wing of an F-15 fighter, said Mike Trotsky, the division’s vice president.
The firm is working under a contract from 2005 worth roughly $2 million. A new contract, expected to be worth about $3 million, will start work with other fighter planes.
“We’re looking at the F-16. F-22, F-35, F-15,” said Trotsky.
Developers say the PAC-3, which is normally fired from ground launch tubes, could be fitted on fighter jets, whose speed and maneuverability can put them in a better position to fire upon incoming missiles. Trotsky outlined various threat scenarios under which “a PAC-3 on an aircraft would be in a position to take the shot.”
Another advantage, Lockheed officials say, is that PAC-3-equipped tactical aircraft could intercept an approaching threat in a much less expensive fashion than diverting Aegis ships or Patriot battalions for the mission.
The program, called Air-Launch Hit-to-Kill, is being developed for boost phase intercepts as well as for homeland defense against cruise missiles or tactical ballistic missiles.
A statement from Lockheed developers said “the weight of the PAC-3 and any associated launch container will be well within the capabilities of the aircraft mentioned.”
The plane’s sensors would feed fire-control data to the missile, developers said."
Quelle: http://www.airforcetimes.com/story.php?f=1-292925-2458931.php
"Air Force fighter jets laden with Patriot missiles may one day help shoot down incoming ballistic missiles, Lockheed Martin officials said.
Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control is working with the U.S. Missile Defense Agency to put Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missiles under the wing of an F-15 fighter, said Mike Trotsky, the division’s vice president.
The firm is working under a contract from 2005 worth roughly $2 million. A new contract, expected to be worth about $3 million, will start work with other fighter planes.
“We’re looking at the F-16. F-22, F-35, F-15,” said Trotsky.
Developers say the PAC-3, which is normally fired from ground launch tubes, could be fitted on fighter jets, whose speed and maneuverability can put them in a better position to fire upon incoming missiles. Trotsky outlined various threat scenarios under which “a PAC-3 on an aircraft would be in a position to take the shot.”
Another advantage, Lockheed officials say, is that PAC-3-equipped tactical aircraft could intercept an approaching threat in a much less expensive fashion than diverting Aegis ships or Patriot battalions for the mission.
The program, called Air-Launch Hit-to-Kill, is being developed for boost phase intercepts as well as for homeland defense against cruise missiles or tactical ballistic missiles.
A statement from Lockheed developers said “the weight of the PAC-3 and any associated launch container will be well within the capabilities of the aircraft mentioned.”
The plane’s sensors would feed fire-control data to the missile, developers said."
Quelle: http://www.airforcetimes.com/story.php?f=1-292925-2458931.php
