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WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? The employment of Hellfire is essential to the survivability of the Marine Corps' AH-1 helicopter on the nonpermissive threat battlefield. Hellfire provides an increased standoff capability combined with a considerably improved kill potential over present antitank guided missiles. Hellfire's range of greater than 5,000 meters significantly exceeds TOW's maximum range of 3,750 meters. With the indirect fire and lock on after launch firing modes, Hellfire does not expose the launch aircraft to the enemy during the missile launch and guidance sequence as TOW presently does. Finally, Hellfire's armor penetration/kill potential is greater than that of TOW.

PROGRAM STATUS: The Hellfire missile program recently completed Milestone IIIB and initial deliveries of production missiles have been made to the FMF. DEVELOPER/MANUFACTURER: Rockwell International/Martin Marietta

SIDEARM

DESCRIPTION: Sidearm is a short-range,

self-protection, antiradiation weapon designed for use by TACAIR and armed helicopters to counter short-range air defense systems. The weapon is designed to acquire and track mobile battlefield type threat systems. The Sidearm program is a Navy development to modify AIM-9C semi-active radar Sidewinder seekers to detect and home on radar emitters. The concept involves using on-board aircraft defensive electronic counter measures (DECM) equipment to provide threat detection and existing Sidewinder circuitry to provide missile lock-on/launch signals for the pilot. The missile hardware includes the modified seekers plus new AIM-9 missile components.

PROCUREMENT PROFILE: PRIOR FY-87 FY-88 FY-89 FY-90 FY-91 FY-92

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WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? The Marine Corps has an approved requirement for a quick reaction, short-range, antiradiation weapon which is compatible with Sidewinder-configured aircraft using on-board DECM equipment for threat detection. The mobile, short-range air defense systems represent a significant threat to TACAIR and attack helicopters on the modern battlefield. The SIDEARM, as a complement to the more sophisticated HARM weapon, will provide non-HARM equipped aircraft (AH-1, AV-8B and OV-10) with a point and shoot capability to suppress the close-in tactical threat.

PROGRAM STATUS: The Sidearm missile has recently completed initial operational testing (OT). Completion of the next phase of OT and fleet introduction is expected in late 1987.

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DESCRIPTION: Designed for particular effectiveness at low altitudes, Marine Corps Hawk missile systems provide vital area defense against enemy air attack. The Hawk missile, which strikes at supersonic speed, is deadly against a full spectrum of hostile aircraft at all tactical speeds and altitudes. The system is mobile, helicopter-transportable, and designed to operate in an electronic countermeasures environment.

PROCUREMENT PROFILE: PRIOR FY-87 FY-88 FY-89 FY-90 FY-91 FY-92

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WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? Hawk is the Marine Corps' most lethal ground-launched, surface-to-air missile system. It is the organic weapon of the light antiaircraft missile (LAAM) battalion which is organized to provide ground-based air defense for the MAGTF.

PROGRAM STATUS: The Marine Corps has programmed sufficient Hawk equipment to field a LAAM battalion in each MAF (three firing batteries with four firing sections each). The Marine Corps supports procurement of sufficient numbers of Hawk missiles to ensure 60 days of supply.

DEVELOPER/MANUFACTURER: Raytheon Corporation

STINGER

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DESCRIPTION: Stinger is a man-portable, visually-aimed, shoulder-fired, surfaceto-air defensive weapon system designed to counter the low altitude air threat. The weapon can engage jet and helicopter aircraft from all aspects, including head-on, to provide a true point defense capability. Stinger employs a passive infrared homing missile with an advanced guidance system which assures precision intercepts forward of the jet plume of high-speed aircraft. The Stinger system is designed to meet the air threat of the 1990s. It also incorporates an identification friend or foe (IFF) interrogator and advanced infrared countermeasures circuitry.

PROCUREMENT PROFILE:

Quantity

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

PRIOR FY-87 FY-88 FY-89 FY-90 FY-91 FY-92

4,741 1,385 3,067 3,115 1,853 1,793

The man-portable Stinger weapon system is the first ground launched air defense capability ashore in the assault echelon of an amphibious operation. It is the organic weapon of the low altitude air defense (LAAD) battalion which is organized to deploy Stinger teams to provide close-in, low-altitude air defense for each element of the MAGTF.

PROGRAM STATUS: Air defense of the MAGTF, in particular the maneuvering combat elements, relies heavily on Stinger and its ability to destroy low altitude, fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. The Marine Corps' goal is procurement of sufficient Stinger missiles to ensure 60 days of supply.

DEVELOPER/MANUFACTURER:

DESCRIPTION:

General Dynamics

LIGHTWEIGHT EARLY WARNING DETECTION DEVICE (LEWDD)

The Marine Corps requires a lightweight, man-portable, surveillance and detection device to alert and cue Stinger gunners to the approach of hostile aircraft. The Marine Corps will seek a non-developmental item such as one of many lightweight radars commercially available which are simple and robust with the following capabilities:

All-weather 20 kilometer coverage

- Man-portable subassemblies with a total combined weight of 200 pounds or less

Vehicle or battery powered

- Setup time of five minutes or less

PROCUREMENT PROFILE: PRIOR FY-87 FY-88 FY-89 FY-90 FY-91 FY-92

Quantity

12

36

20

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? Stinger, while highly effective, is limited by the visual acuity of the gunner. LEWDD will correct this grave deficiency by allowing the detection of hostile aircraft beyond the eyesight of the Stinger gunner, thereby exploiting the inherent effectiveness of the Stinger missile itself.

PROGRAM STATUS: Demonstration of candidate systems is scheduled for the 2d quarter, 1987. The first system will be operational in 1990.

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MISSILE DETECTION SYSTEM, AN/AAR-47

DESCRIPTION: The AN/AAR-47 equipment detects incoming missiles and provides automatic signal for ejection of expendable countermeasures, thereby protecting the aircraft. Aircrew are also provided indications of threat direction via existing aircraft warning displays.

PROCUREMENT PROFILE: PRIOR FY-87 FY-88 FY-89 FY-90 FY-91 FY-92

Quantity

164

162

150

42

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? The AN/AAR-47 provides the helicopter the necessary protection to operate in a hostile environment now populated by a wide variety of diverse infrared surface to air missiles.

PROGRAM STATUS:

Sufficient AN/AAR-47 systems have been programmed to meet USMC helicopter requirements. The applicability of the AN/AAR-47 for high performance fixed-wing aircraft is presently under evaluation.

DEVELOPER/MANUFACTURER: Honeywell

TACTICAL AIR OPERATIONS MODULE (TAOM), AN/TYQ-23 V(I)

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DESCRIPTION: The TAOM is a joint Marine Corps/Air Force program designed to develop and produce operations modules which, when employed independently or in groups of up to five, provide for air defense and air traffic control and coordination as required by the MAGTF during combat operations.

PROCUREMENT PROFILE: PRIOR FY-87 FY-88 FY-89 FY-90 FY-91 FY-92

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WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? The TAOM program will replace aging equipment which is logistically unsupportable. The equipment developed is modular. This design allows for the phased introduction of capability into an operating area, and a rapid increase in capability with the addition of identical modules. The TAOM program is essential to the USMC deployment concept. TAOM requires fewer technical personnel to operate than the current system. It also offers training improvements at a reasonable cost and a reduction in the strategic lift requirement. Availability is increased due to improved system reliability and ease of repair. The modules will have the operational capabilities to perform the required functions on the modern battlefield. The procurement profile will provide modules required to equip each Marine air control squadron with four modules to support training.

PROGRAM STATUS: The Marine Corps requested the TAOM in the FY-86 budget. Milestone IIIA was passed in December 1986. An IOC of FY-91 is planned. DEVELOPER/MANUFACTURER:

Litton Corporation

AVIATOR'S NIGHT VISION IMAGING SYSTEM (ANVIS), AN/AVS-6

DESCRIPTION: ANVIS provides a third-generation image intensifier designed specifically for aviators. The system provides lightweight design, "lookaround" peripheral vision, easy installation, and it enhances safe aircraft operation during night operations under clear, starlight conditions.

PROCUREMENT PROFILE:

Quantity

PRIOR FY-87 FY-88 FY-89 FY-90 FY-91 FY-92

1,710 539

585 699

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? ANVIS is the first night vision system designed specifically for providing helicopter aviation the capability to fly low with the ability to see and avoid obstacles. This provides a significantly increased capability for night operations in a hostile environment without the necessity for external light sources.

PROGRAM STATUS: Fleet introduction began in 1986. Full fleet capability is expected by 1990.

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ADVANCED TACTICAL AIR COMMAND CENTRAL (ATACC)

DESCRIPTION: ATACC replaces the current TACC equipment with highly mobile shelters containing non-developmental operator consoles, large screen electronic displays, communications terminals, and automated planner work stations. PROCUREMENT PROFILE: PRIOR FY-87 FY-88 FY-89 FY-90 Quantity

1

FY-91

FY-92

3 3

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