SLAM ER Standoff Weapon Tested at Maximum Range

Released on Thursday, May 19, 2005

A Boeing Stand-Off Land Attack Missile-Expanded Response (SLAM-ER) weapon, was recently launched from its maximum range, flying farther than a SLAM-ER has ever flown, scoring a direct hit.

In another long-range test, a SLAM-ER was launched for the first time from an operational US Navy S-3B Viking, again scoring a direct hit. Both tests were at the Navy's Sea Test Range on San Nicolas Island, California.

The maximum-range test was from an altitude of 40,000 feet (12,200 meters) from a U.S. Navy F/A-18B more than 170 miles (150 nm or 277 kilometers) from a mobile ship target. After being released, the SLAM-ER twice received updated target information, changed its course and directly hit the target. The SLAM-ER is the only weapon in the Navy's arsenal capable of hitting a moving target from standoff outside area defense ranges.

For the S-3B launch, the SLAM-ER was released from 15,000 feet (4,600 meters), approximately 115 miles (100 nm or 185 kilometers) from the target. When the SLAM-ER was approximately 11 miles from a simulated missile launcher target, it received midcourse target updates and was successfully guided to within six feet of the launcher.

The all-weather, over-the-horizon, precision-strike SLAM-ER with its 500-pound (250 kilograms) warhead is recognized by the U.S. Navy as the most accurate weapon in its inventory.

SLAM-ER is currently sold to the U.S. Navy and the Republic of Korea Air Force and is being considered by the Royal Australia Air Force for its AIR 5418 requirement.