The Air Force Research Lab is looking to take the next step in turning its CHAMP (Counter-Electronics High-Power Microwave Advanced Missile Project) into a fielded weapon, said AFRL chief Maj. Gen. Thomas Masiello. He spoke to reporters at a Pentagon science fair Thursday showing off various emerging technologies. In a successful 2012 test, a high power microwave emitter mounted in an AGM-86B CALCM cruise missile was able to fry all the electronics in a simulated command bunker. Now the AFRL effort is aimed at miniaturizing the HPM package to “be able to fit it into a JASSM-ER,” Masiello said. The JASSM-ER was a natural choice for the next step because “it’s fielded and compatible with a whole host of platforms,” Masiello said. Plus, “it’s more survivable” than the CALCM. The CHAMP package would be substituted for the kinetic warhead when mounted on a JASSM-ER, he said. The CHAMP demonstrator was put together by Boeing; the JASSM-ER is built by Lockheed Martin.
As Air Force leaders consider concepts of operations for Collaborative Combat Aircraft, sustainment in the field—and easing that support by using standard parts and limiting variants—should be a key consideration, according to a new study from AFA's Mitchell Institute of Aerospace Studies.