Shifting Shadow - Reports From DSEI

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Shifting Shadow - Reports From DSEI
Posted by Douglas Barrie 6:41 PM on Sep 08, 2009

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26-Feb-14 3:29 PM

Shifting Shadow - Reports From DSEI

http://www.aviationweek.com/blogs.aspx?plckblogid=blog:27ec4a53-dc...

European missile house MBDA has refined the design of its Fire Shadow loitering munition in development for the British Defense Ministry, following tests shots and further wind-tunnel work.

A mock-up of the modified configuration was on display at the Defense Systems and Equipment International exhibition being held in London Sept 8-11.

The weapon in development for the British Army as part of its indirect fire precision attack program has a revised tail, booster, and wing configuration. The modifications are both cost and performance driven. The tail design has moved from a cruciform to a twin angled-fin design, with the booster also fitted with two large grid, or lattice, fins. The grid fin configuration is intended in part to better control the boosters impact footprint once it separates from the weapon.

The wing has been shortened, while the chord has been increased in an effort to optimize the balance between lift and agility. The mock-up also showed the turret-mounted electro-optical

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26-Feb-14 3:29 PM

Shifting Shadow - Reports From DSEI

http://www.aviationweek.com/blogs.aspx?plckblogid=blog:27ec4a53-dc...

package. The weapon development is currently in a three-year assessment phase. A further series of four firings are expected in 2010, including the first end-to-end engagement using the weapon. The original configuration was first test fired in 2008.

Picture credit 1 and 4 MBDA, 2 and 3 D.Barrie/AW&ST

Tags: ar99, Fire Shadow, MBDA

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26-Feb-14 3:29 PM

Shifting Shadow - Reports From DSEI

http://www.aviationweek.com/blogs.aspx?plckblogid=blog:27ec4a53-dc...

matt
2:36 PM on 9/8/2009

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I always thought the Tacit Rainbow loitering missile concept was a good one, perhaps this version will make it into produc on.

Marcase
5:05 PM on 9/8/2009

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I wonder if it is cost-eec ve. The loitering part is used to nd, iden fy and track targets before its terminal a ack. However, when the missile is launched it is unretrievable, so if it can't nd its target its eec vely a miss, and a muni on lost. During a land/urban opera on I would prefer a retrievable UAV to do the surveillance, target tracking and bomb damage assesment, instead of ring o loitering missiles. IIRC the FCS NLOS-LS had a similar LAM round planned but was deleted because of this. The direct a ack missile variant is also cheaper, though shorter in range/endurance. Perhaps in a mari me environment may Fire Shadow and its ilk be more ecient when used as a guided long-range mini-cruise missile/ar llery round, as it can be guided by the ships sensors or onboard helicopter. But then it's rela vely small warhead may prove too light. Interes ng concept though.

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26-Feb-14 3:29 PM