Air-to-air missile seeks new combat role

Air-to-air missile seeks new combat role

Released: 15 Oct 1999

by Jake Swinson
Air Armament Center Public Affairs

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFPN) -- The versatility of the advanced medium-range air-to-air missile, or AMRAAM, was displayed at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Oct. 4, when base personnel got an opportunity to examine a prototype ground-launched version of the weapon.

Known as HUMRAAM, for Humvee-AMRAAM, the air-to-air missiles are mounted on high mobility multi-purpose wheeled vehicles and used by ground forces to defend against aircraft and cruise missile attacks.

Boeing and Raytheon Corporations are developing HUMRAAM systems for possible sale to the Marines, Army and allies.

Boeing officials brought their HUMRAAM prototype to Eglin and displayed it outside Eglin's Joint Air-to-Air Joint Systems Program Office, which manages the AMRAAM missile program.

The Boeing HUMRAAM system uses existing technology such as the Army's Stinger missile launcher system, and can be plugged into radar systems already in use. Five AMRAAMs can be carried on the vehicles.

"The Army and Marines are developing requirements for HUMRAAM," disclosed Erik Stoer, who manages the program at Eglin. "They are trying to determine the mix of AMRAAMs and Stingers that will best satisfy their air defense needs. AMRAAM compliments the Stinger system because it has a much longer range."

The current Boeing HUMRAAM development program is approximately two-thirds complete. Two missiles were launched from the prototype last year and successfully demonstrated separation from the vehicle. More launches are planned for March 1999 against target drones, Boeing officials disclosed.

"HUMRAAM is a great example of using previously developed technology to expand the capabilities of our warfighters in the field," said Lt. Col. Jim Knox, deputy director of Eglin's Air-to-Air System Program Office. (Courtesy of Air Force Materiel Command News Service)