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.
The Space Development Agency says it’s on track to issue its next batch of missile warning and tracking satellite contracts this month after those awards were delayed by the Pentagon’s decision to divert funds from the agency to pay troops during this fall’s prolonged government shutdown.
