Innovative technology from ATK is to provide additional capabilities for the Warfighter, continuing development of a small, lightweight warhead.
Alliant Techsystems has announced its selection by Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) to receive a $1.6 million contract to continue development of an innovative
small, lightweight warhead that will provide a unique battlefield solution to
stop an enemy target.The BattleAxe warhead program is funded by the Air Force Research Laboratory
at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The goal of this program is to develop a
multi-role, miniature warhead. BattleAxe uses material which allows a smaller
warhead to destroy targets completely without causing major collateral damage
to the surrounding areas. Potential targets for the BattleAxe include, unarmored and armored vehicles,
buildings in urban environments, and other potential threats. Applications
for this warhead include low-cost mini-cruise-missiles and weaponized
unmanned aerial vehicles, allowing greater protection for deployed troops in
hostile environments. 'The BattleAxe technology offers the warfighter the capability to defeat an
enemy threat with a smaller weapon,' said David Riemer, ATK vice president of
Science and Engineering. 'This lightweight warhead provides significant
operational flexibility and a capability that today, only exists in larger
weapons The BattleAxe program consists of three-phases. ATK successfully completed a
phase one program and has won the phase two down-select to be the single
provider. |
