The U.S. Navy completed the first live test of the Joint Multi-Effects Warhead System (JMEWS), meeting all performance objectives for the new warhead for the Tomahawk Block IV tactical cruise missile.

The JMEWS program is designed to deliver a warhead that will give the Tactical Tomahawk Land-Attack Missile all of the same blast-fragmentation capabilities that make it a formidable weapon today and to introduce enhanced penetration capabilities into a single warhead.

"This static test of the JMEWS program brings this powerful capability one step closer to potential integration into the Tactical Tomahawk Block IV missile, delivering enhanced capabilities to the operationally proven system," said Captain Dave Davison, the U.S. Navy's program manager for the Tomahawk Weapon System.

"This first test demonstrates that the program is on schedule and moving forward as planned."

During the August 16 test, the warhead detonated, creating a hole large enough for the follow-through element to completely penetrate the concrete target and pass through two witness plates.

"The future of the Tomahawk Block IV missile includes a series of affordable enhancements to make the system more capable for the warfighter," said Gary Hagedon, Raytheon's Tomahawk program director.

"JMEWS is the first of the planned system enhancements, and this test demonstrates that we have the right team in place to deliver these capabilities."

earlier related report
ATK Awarded Components Contract For AAR 47 Missile Warning System
Minneapolis MN (SPX) Oct 22 - ATK has received a $67-million Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract from the U.S. Navy for the production of AAR-47 Missile Warning System Weapon Replaceable Assemblies (WRAs). The award encompasses production of new and retrofit components, including optical sensors, control indicators and computer processors.

ATK's AAR-47 Missile Warning System is an electronic warfare system designed to protect helicopters and aircraft against surface-to-air missile threats. It also alerts aircrews to threats from laser-guided and laser-aided weapons.

The AAR-47 is installed on aircraft flown by the U.S. and its allies in more than 16 countries. The systems are installed on more than 2,600 fixed and rotary-wing aircraft including the C-5, C-17, C-130, P-3, AH-1W, UH-1N, V-22.

"ATK's AAR-47 is a combat-proven, aircraft survivability system credited with saving numerous military aircrew lives and aircraft from attack," said Bill Kasting, Vice President and General Manager of ATK Defense Electronics Systems.

"We develop and deliver affordable and reliable electronic warfare systems that protect U.S. and allied military aircrews flying in harm's way."

"There is no greater accomplishment than providing the warfighter with a reliable, battle-proven, low-cost, missile and laser warning capability," said Matt Lehtonen, Deputy Program Manager for the PMA-272 Aircraft Survivability Equipment Branch at the Naval Air Systems Command.