By
Theresa Hitchens on January 08, 2021 at 4:07 PM
Four Collaborative Small Diameter Bombs (CSDBs) hang from the wing of an F-16 fighter from the Air Force Test Center’s 96th Test Wing at Eglin AFB. Two bombs were dropped during the first flight demonstration of the Air Force Golden Horde Vanguard.
WASHINGTON: The Air Force Research Laboratory’s prototype ‘swarming’ munitions failed to hit their targets in their first flight demo, but experts see the potential for networked, autonomous munitions to eventually equip America’s entire fighter fleet.
The new munitions being designed under AFRL’s Golden Horde project use data links to communicate, chose targets (based on pre-programmed algorithms) and then coordinate strikes against an array of targets, independently from the human pilot.
AFRL demonstrates first collaborative weapon technologies > U S Air Force > Article Display
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AFRL demonstrates first collaborative weapon technologies > Air Mobility Command > Article Display
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By Garrett Reim2020-12-15T22:46:00+00:00
The US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) completed a series of “record-breaking tests” of a scramjet engine in November.
The hot-fire tests were conducted on the ground at the Arnold Engineering Development Complex Aerodynamic and Propulsion Test Unit at Arnold AFB in Tennessee, the AFRL said on 15 December. The scramjet engine was developed and manufactured by Aerojet Rocketdyne.
Source: Air Force Research Laboratory
Aerojet Rocketdyne completes a successful series of hot-fire tests of an advanced air-breathing hypersonic engine
The scramjet engine tests come as the AFRL also finished sled testing new “high-speed” warhead technology at Holloman AFB in New Mexico in November. The new warhead appears likely for use on in-development hypersonic missiles. The AFRL did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
AFRL demonstrates critical new warhead technologies for high speed weapons > Nellis Air Force Base > News
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