New data link ties Patriot missile into Integrated Battle Command System
The Patriot was used with a new combination of battle command software and data links to successfully engage cruise missile targets. (Image: Lockheed Martin)
During two separate tests at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, Northrop Grumman's Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS) was integrated with new networked sensor and effector combinations.
The first live target engagement involved three Raytheon AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel radars tracking a cruise missile target across the range.
IBCS then engaged this target using the Lockheed Martin Remote Interceptor Guidance (RIG-360) prototype as uplink to a Patriot PAC-3 interceptor missile. This followed internal R&D work at Northrop Grumman’s to integrate RIG-360 with IBCS.
The RIG-360 successfully communicated with the in-flight PAC-3 to test its data link capabilities. RIG-360 enables a 360-degree PAC-3 engagement capability utilising target data from various sensors.
The success of this test removes the dependency of the Patriot radar in IBCS architecture to provide the communication link to and from the interceptor, according to Northrop Grumman.
During the second live test, a ground-launched cruise missile surrogate was detected, tracked, engaged and destroyed using IBCS. Again using a Patriot Interceptor, IBCS created a fire quality track and common operating picture.
More from Land Warfare
-
Sener to tackle uncrewed teaming for convoys under European project
Sener Aerospace and Defense will lead a multi-national European Defence Fund project to explore swarming and interoperability of UGVs with crewed ground and air vehicles.
-
How the US Army plans to accelerate replenishment of stockpiles
The service is betting on multi-year contracts, reducing procurement process bureaucracy and partnering with industry to speed up production.
-
Germany explores new options for future armoured vehicles
Germany has a range of requirements for additional or replacement armoured vehicles over the next decade. Shephard analyses how the German Army might use its share of the country's highly publicised €100 billion defence spending boost.
-
Argentina negotiates acquisition of 6x6 Guarani vehicles
The procurement will involve a transfer of technology, with parts of the Guarani platforms produced at Iveco’s facilities in Argentina.