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Out of the Shadow
Wednesday, 12 September, 2007
Recently formed Team LM, headed by MBDA UK, has unveiled its Fire Shadow weapon system at DSEi to meet part of the British Army’s Indirect Fire Precision Attack requirement for a low-cost all-weather precise strike capability at long range.
Team LM (Loitering Munition) also includes Blue Bear Systems Research, Cranfield Aerospace, Cranfield University, Lockheed Martin UK INSYS, Marshalls SV, Meggitt, QinetiQ, Roxel, Selex SAS, Thales UK, Ultra Electronics and VEGA.
Team LM was launched earlier this year as a project-specific venture within the overall Team Complex Weapons (CW) partnership between the MoD and industry that was established two years ago through the UK Defence Industrial Strategy.Team CW will meet future complex weapons requirements and ensure that the UK retains a capability in this important area.
The Fire Shadow weapon system will enable stationary and moving targets to be engaged at ranges of up to 150km and with a circular error of probability of less than 1m and will complement other weapon systems, rockets and conventional tubed artillery already deployed by the Royal Artillery. It will feature a man in the loop, so that the Loitering Munition can be diverted from the target if required. It will receive real-time target information from a range of sources.
It is envisaged that a typical truck-mounted launcher will have eight Loitering Munitions, with the launcher being elevated prior to launch. After being ejected from the launcher, the wings unfold and the main engine is started. It would probably be initially fitted with a unitary (high explosive) warhead, followed by other types such as submunitions. Maximum loitering time will be in excess of 10 hours.
Rapid development/ prototype flight trials are due to start at the end of this year. If all goes to plan, the Loitering Munitions assessment phase is expected to commence in 2008 and lead to a main gate decision in 2011.
 Pictured during the unveiling of the Fire Shadow are (from left): Antoine Bouvier, CEO of MBDA; Lord Drayson, Minister of State for Defence Equipment and Support; and Steve Wadey, managing director of MBDA UK |