The US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has demonstrated the customized detonation of an aircraft-launched munition, the laboratory revealed in a statement.
The test concluded the Dialable Effects Munition (DEM) demonstration program to develop the maturation, demonstration, and transition of technologies “that enable a weapon’s effects to be tailored dynamically in flight.”
During the latest trial, an F-16 aircraft launched a pre-programmed 2,000-pound (907 kg) munition for a precise impact.
Dialable Munition
The munition consists of “a pre-formed fragment warhead case, an electronic safe and arm device, distributed embedded firesets, and a precision height-of-burst sensor.”
Weapon components direct it towards the target and control munition fragment speed and direction for an expected impact.
“The precise lethal footprint attack focuses the weapons effects to a limited area where collateral damage could be a concern. Ultimately, the DEM achieved the mission as planned with evidence of its effectiveness visible throughout the target area,” the AFRL revealed.
Offers Wider Choices
The AFRL earlier demonstrated the munition’s ability for a “wide attack area mission.” The test followed a “sled test” which confirmed the weapon’s capacity.
The munition allows pilots to effectively modify its impact in-flight depending on the situation: “An Area Attack effect that detonates high above the target for maximum dispersed effects over the area where collateral damage is not an issue; A Precise Lethal Footprint effect that detonates lower over the target to confine effects to a small area for low-collateral damage; and a Surface Target Perforation effect that detonates after the weapon punches through a structure.”
Streamlines Logistics
The Dialable Effects Munition cuts out the need for three different types of munitions in an aircraft, “which streamlines the logistics footprint.”
AFRL commander, Maj. Gen. Heather Pringle said: “I’m really excited to see the team tackling tough problems like dialable effects, so our warfighters have options for weapons that respond to their needs, as conditions change in the heat of battle.”
“In addition, the technology has the potential to simplify the sizes and types of weapons needed at the forward edge of the battlefield, which leads to a more efficient, less costly support tail.”