ST. LOUIS, March 13, 1997 -- The McDonnell Douglas (NYSE:MD) Standoff Land Attack Missile Expanded Response (SLAM ER) passed its functional ground test Feb. 18 with flying colors.
The first 20 seconds of flight were duplicated in the ground test. The umbilical cable was pulled, initiating the battery, followed by the deployment of the wings and the engine start sequence.
Test objectives were two-fold. The primary aim was to demonstrate post-launch critical functions such as wing deployment and engine start sequencing prior to first flight, which is scheduled for later this month. Verification of the redundant flight termination system was a secondary test objective.
Bob Krieger, general manager for missile systems at McDonnell Douglas said, "We couldn't have asked for better results. All test objectives were met and now we're ready to move on to first flight.
"Our goal is to demonstrate that SLAM ER is a low risk solution. The successful functional ground test is in keeping with that path to a successful operational evaluation and production," he said.
The test article used for the ground test consisted of a SLAM ER free-flight exercise missile, which was fully fueled and contained live pyrotechnic devices. The vehicle was identical to a tactical missile, except that in place of an ordnance section it incorporated an exercise package in order to provide telemetry data and commanded flight termination.
Throughout the functional ground test, performance verification tests were conducted to ensure safe operation of support equipment and to verify proper missile operation.
SLAM ER, an affordable inventory upgrade to the SLAM weapon system, provides increased missile capability and incorporates a user-friendly mission planning system. The latter reduces the time required to plan a mission from hours to minutes.
Approximately 700 missiles will be delivered to the U.S. Navy with production expected to continue to 2004.
97-64
McDonnell Douglas
(314) 234-6996