Lock-on before launch trial
Flight tests of the Guided Advanced Tactical Rocket (GATR) have been successfully conducted from a US Army rotary-wing helicopter, the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior.
The tests took place during a recent US Army Aviation Applied Technology Directorate (AATD) demonstration, conducted at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. GATR was fired from an OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopter using "lock-on before launch" to engage targets at ranges exceeding 5km. The multiple laser-designated guided test flights, launched from a standard 2.75in launcher, resulted in direct impacts on all targets. The pilot of the OH-58D was able to confirm lock-on of the GATR prior to launch.
"ATK and teammate Elbit Systems have rapidly developed and deployed a low-cost precision system to meet our customers' needs," said Mark DeYoung, ATK Senior Vice President and President Armament Systems.
Originally announced in July 2008, GATR benefits from a robust design, which combines combat-proven performance, a minimum smoke signature and the reliability of an ATK-produced propulsion system, similar to a system employed on millions of rockets produced for the US Army. GATR contains a guidance and control system built with the experience of Elbit Systems' heritage in high-performance laser seekers for the United States and international customers. It employs advanced acquisition, tracking and guidance algorithms to achieve one-meter accuracy against stationary and moving targets. In its tactical configuration, GATR will incorporate an Insensitive Munitions (IM) rocket motor and a family of IM warheads to include blast/fragmentation and penetration. GATR minimizes collateral damage, while providing stand-off deployment against a wide array of target sets.
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