SubscribeIn March 2005, ATK became the first company to score a direct hit in the Mid-Range Munition (MRM) competition. The projectile autonomously searched for, guided to, and hit its target positioned beyond line-of-site more than three miles away - range.
According to Dave Wise, President, ATK Missile Systems, MRM will give the U.S. Army overwhelming lethality, pinpoint accuracy and significant standoff capability.
“Once again, ATK demonstrated its world-wide leadership in the development and performance of gun-hardened precision munitions,” said Wise. “ATK’s direct hit is a milestone in precision fire capability for the Mounted Combat System (MCS) element of the Future Combat System. ATK’s MRM promises to significantly improve the effectiveness of the MCS against the current and future threats.” The ATK-designed MRM will also be compatible with current combat systems such as the Abrams tank.
ATK’s tactical MRM will use a semi-active laser for cooperative targeting and a millimeter wave seeker to autonomously acquire and track the target. Impulse thrusters provide maneuverability to hit targets more then miles away. This unique control system has no moving parts and, consequently, provides high reliability at a low cost. The projectile will travel to these extended ranges on a ballistic trajectory. Before impact, a rocket motor will boost the projectile with its embedded long rod penetrator to lethal supersonic velocity.
ATK is under contract for two other gun-hardened precision projectiles, the Precision Guided Mortar Munition (PGMM) and the Navy’s Extended Range Munition (ERM). All three advanced weapon systems employ highly reliable, low-cost gun-hardened electronics and embedded thrusters for superior guidance.
Photo caption: Knockout punch: ATK is the only company to successfully test a Mid-Range Munition
