AFRL research targets advanced AAA weaponry
The Air Force Research Laboratory Sensors Directorate and the National Museum of the US Air Force Collection Management Division are teaming up to help address an air force requirement to automatically detect numerous mobile ground threats such as anti-aircraft guns (AAA).
The AAA weapons are used to defend high asset value targets on the ground such as surface to air missile sites, headquarters, weapons storage sites, bridges, power grids, and other vulnerable strategic targets.
The museum will provide five AAA guns, which are part of the national historical property collection at the National Museum and are preserved for research and possible use in future exhibits.
The AFRL team is planning to build three mock-ups of common AAA guns for testing. The team also plan to take radar reflectivity measurements of the museum’s guns using a portable X band radar. This data will help to determine dominant reflectors needed in their mock-ups, which will be built by their fabrication shop team.
The older version of the AAA were manually loaded, hand cranked, with crews of 6-10. The modern AAA has electro-optical/infrared sensors and radar that allows operator to know how much to lead the target. Radar gives them access to range and velocity information and all-weather capability. It has electric servos for fast slewing, auto-loaders and has a faster firing rate.
The latest AAA guns are designed specifically to shoot down swarming UAS. Some legacy AAA guns are lethal to 35,000ft.
The AFRL initiated three small business innovation research contracts, all currently in Phase I, asking companies to do some modelling and simulation. Each is $150,000 for nine months. Some will qualify for Phase IIs, which are $750,000 for two years.
You may also like
More from Land Warfare
-
![Czech government developing a plan for air defence beyond 2030 alongside NATO integration]()
Czech government developing a plan for air defence beyond 2030 alongside NATO integration
The Czech Armed Forces is set to receive four Israeli-made SPYDER long-range missile defence systems, the first of which was delivered earlier this year. They will be a key part of the country’s multilayered air defence system.
-
![Bidders for Australia’s long-range fires requirement push development of offerings]()
Bidders for Australia’s long-range fires requirement push development of offerings
Lockheed Martin is competing against a joint Kongsberg and Thales team to meet Australia’s requirement for a land-based, long-range fires system to protect Australia’s northern approaches. Both bidders have announced recent developments on associated missiles.
-
![How AI and robotics drive innovation in land-based defence]()
How AI and robotics drive innovation in land-based defence
The future on the frontlines: automation and AI isn’t just about improving efficiency or driving down labour cost - for Pearson Engineering it’s everything.
-
![How do land and air defense forces defend against complex threats?]()
How do land and air defense forces defend against complex threats?
Learn how RTX systems defend against complex attacks from adversaries including hostile drones, and multi-range missiles.
-
![Hundreds of Boxers with Puma turrets ordered for Dutch and German forces]()
Hundreds of Boxers with Puma turrets ordered for Dutch and German forces
The order is for 270 vehicles, 222 of which are infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) known as Schakal (Jackal), which integrates the advanced Puma IFV RCT30 turret onto the Boxer chassis.
-
![AUSA 2025: Hanwha Aerospace reveals new wheeled artillery system]()
AUSA 2025: Hanwha Aerospace reveals new wheeled artillery system
The aerospace company showed a model of its new mobile howitzer at AUSA in Washington, where a representative told Shephard more about its design.
