CLAWS Completes Operational Tests

Released on Tuesday, November 22, 2005

Complementary Low Altitude Weapon System (CLAWS) completed a successful operational test at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. Initial results indicated CLAWS successfully engaged all six targets and achieved all test objectives during the three days of firing.

The completion of the operational test marks the end of development testing and signifies the readiness of CLAWS to enter the fielding phase --IOC (initial operational capability) -- of the program. This test demonstrated the complete "Family of Systems" architecture.

The large volume air picture was provided by the TPS-59 radar and AN/TYQ-23 Tactical Air Operations Module. Close air picture and tracking data were provided by the Thales Raytheon Systems MPQ-64 Sentinel Radar. Command and

control, with air picture and track correlation, was performed by the Marine Air Defense Communications Platform updated with the Raytheon Solipsys Multi-Source Correlator Tracker and Tactical Display Framework. Fire control and launch were by the CLAWS launcher. Intercept was by the Raytheon Missile Systems AIM-120 AMRAAM.

CLAWS is an all-weather, highly mobile, high firepower air defense system for the Marine Expeditionary Forces. The system uses the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle as its platform and the AIM-120 AMRAAM as its interceptor. CLAWS is block fielded as the Marine variant to the Ground Launched AMRAAM common launcher program.