This was the first flight test to demonstrate that SLAM-ER can fulfill its Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW) mission objective. A Global Positioning System (GPS)-equipped F/A-18, flying with the new OFP-13C software, used its on-board radar to locate and target the MST. The DT-5 missile was then launched at low altitude and low speed on a bearing toward the ship target. As the SLAM-ER navigated with its GPS/INS toward the target location, it received two midcourse updates from the F/A-18 aircraft via the AWW-13 data link pod. These quick-reaction launch and midcourse update features are part of the Target Of Opportunity (TOO) mode of SLAM-ER which can be used against ships at sea or those transiting through littoral areas. DT-5 was the final developmental test flight of SLAM-ER prior to entry into the combined developmental-operational phase of the test program.

As the DT-5 missile approached the target area, LT Burr was able to locate and provide positive identification of the target ship using SLAM-ER’s imaging infrared seeker. He then commanded the seeker to lock onto the target at 7 nautical miles using the seeker’s centroid tracking feature. Once the lock was obtained, the missile guided autonomously to a direct hit low on the ship’s superstructure.

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The DT-5 flight profile is shown below.