USAF reveals slimmed-down

SACM air-to-air missile

concept
25 FEBRUARY, 2016 | SOURCE: FLIGHTGLOBAL.COM | BY: JAMES DREW | WASHINGTON DC

The US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) says it has begun early
research into a miniature air-to-air missile that would be carried on the
next-generation of advanced fighter jets.

Known as the Small Advanced Capabilities Missile (SACM), AFRL

officials say the conceptual missile would be far smaller and cheaper
than today’s advanced air-to-air missiles like the Raytheon AIM-9X and
AIM-120D, and therefore might be purchased and fielded in greater
quantities.

SACM is one of many next-generation munitions concepts being

pursued by AFRL as the US Air Force matures its so-called sixth-
generation or air dominance fighter jet that would be introduced in the
2030s.

“SACM would be an affordable, highly lethal air-to-air missile with

reduced size and weight compared to current air-to-air missiles,” AFRL
tell Flightglobal in a prepared statement.

“By enabling a high loadout capability and increased missile

effectiveness, future fighters would be able to survive in the contested
anti-access/area-denial environment and complete their missions with
minimal losses.”
 F-35 AIM-120D AMRAAM testing

US Air Force

AFRL is also looking at the next-generation of general purpose bombs

known as GBU-X, and a powered air-to-ground missile (AGM-X) the
would be rocket boosted for greater range and impact energy.

GBU-X and AGM-X would also be “distributed, collaborative and

cooperative” weapons for net-enabled, coordinated attacks on high-
value targets.

Other concepts presented at the Air Force Association’s Air Warfare

Symposium in Orlando, Florida this week include hypersonic boost-
glide and scramjet-powered missiles pursued in the High-Speed Strike
Weapon (HSSW) programme.

According to fact sheets by AFRL, those weapons could be also

wirelessly linked for coordinated attacks on integrated air defence
systems.
 Boeing X-51

James Drew/Flight International

AFRL is also focused on earth and concrete penetrators to attack

reinforced underground facilities.One option being considered was the
rocket-boosted High-Velocity Penetrating Weapon (HVPW), although
laboratory officials haven’t seen that project move forward since their
technology demonstrations wrapped up.

Air Combat Command director of operations Maj Gen Thomas Deale,

during a panel on close air support, called for every platform to carry
more low collateral damage weapons with precision targeting and
effects.

His ideal close air support platform would carry 3,000 to 4,000 rounds
of ammunition and bombs that can be used reliably in close proximity
to friendly forces in urban areas. “We need deeper magazines,” he
says, adding that laser weapons with an unlimited amount of shots
might someday solve that issue.