SLAM-ER Scores Direct Hit on Land Moving Target

Released on Thursday, October 05, 2006

Boeing's Standoff Land Attack Missile-Expanded Response (SLAM-ER) weapon system scored a direct hit against a moving, remotely-controlled land target during a recent flight test at the U.S. Naval Air Warfare Center, China Lake, California.

The test occurred on Sept. 13 as part of the U.S. Navy's SLAM-ER developmental/operational flight test program. The launch followed a successful developmental test flight on June 1 that used simulated command and control aircraft targeting data to engage a remotely-controlled Shahab 3 missile launcher mock-up.

"SLAM-ER now has the flexibility to engage both fixed and moving land targets," said Boeing Naval Weapons Director Jan Browne. "This demonstrated capability greatly enhances the Navy's ability to engage high-interest mobile targets in today's varied threat environment."

For the test, a Littoral Surveillance Radar System-equipped aircraft sent real-time targeting data to the Boeing-built F/A-18 aircraft, which relayed the data to the SLAM-ER after the weapon's launch. The SLAM-ER acquired and impacted a simulated SA-10 missile launcher in a desert environment. A follow-on test will launch the SLAM-ER against a simulated SA-3 missile launcher that will maneuver and change speeds like an operational target.

SLAM-ER is a highly adaptable day/night, all-weather, over-the-horizon precision strike missile capable of hitting stationary or moving targets on land or at sea. The Navy recognizes SLAM-ER as the most accurate weapon in its inventory.

The Navy will complete its operational testing of SLAM-ER's moving target capability later this year.