Textron Defense Systems announced that its BattleHawk Squad-Level Loitering Munition completed a successful demonstration for the U.S. Army’s Rapid Equipping Force at the Energetic Materials Research and Testing Center in Socorro, N.M.
Amid the rugged terrain of south-central New Mexico, the range offered an operationally realistic environment for several mission scenarios, including non-line-of-sight target prosecution and stand-off attack across a mountain peak. The BattleHawk Squad-Level Loitering Munition is on display today at the 2012 Special Operations Forces Industry Conference (SOFIC) in Tampa, Florida.
The Rapid Equipping Force demonstration debuted several system enhancements that Textron Defense Systems has incorporated into its BattleHawk system since its introduction as the Tactical Remote Aerial Munition, or T-RAM, in 2011. Among these are improved maneuverability in mountainous terrain; upgraded dual, high-resolution digital cameras for more comprehensive target detection and tracking; and moving target tracking during terminal guidance maneuvers. Also demonstrated was the system’s ability to execute the operator’s pre-programmed flight path as evolving battlefield conditions demand.
“We believe that the BattleHawk Squad-Level Loitering Munition exhibits all of the attributes that the Army looks for in emerging technologies – effective performance, affordability, simple operation, minimal training and immediate applicability to warfighter needs,” says Senior Vice President and General Manager Ellen Lord of Textron Defense Systems. “We have listened to our customer in designing and refining the system, and the results are self evident in the product’s performance during the recent demonstration. We continue development of the system with the end-user’s needs in mind.”
Source: Press Release