The Low Cost Autonomous Attack System (LOCAAS) was a loitering attack munition developed for the United States Air Force (USAF). In 1998 the USAF and U.S. Army Lockheed Martin began to examine the feasibility of a small, affordable cruise missile weapon for use against armoured and unarmoured vehicles, materiel and personnel, and if so develop a demonstration program.[1] The program cost approximately $150,000,000; the cost per unit was calculated to be $30,000 based on a production of 12,000 units before cancellation.
LOCAAS | |
---|---|
Type | Small submunition-type missile |
Place of origin | United States |
Production history | |
Manufacturer | Lockheed Martin |
Specifications | |
Mass | 100 pounds (45 kg) |
Length | 36 inches (91 cm) |
Wingspan | 3 ft 10.5 in (1.181 m) |
Warhead | Explosively formed projectile |
Warhead weight | 17 lb (7.7 kg) |
Engine | Technical Directions TDI-J45G turbojet 30 lbf (0.13 kN) thrust |
Operational range | over 100 mi (160 km) 30 minute loiter time |
Flight altitude | 750 feet (230 m) |
Maximum speed | 230 miles per hour (370 km/h) |
Guidance system | GPS/inertial midcourse LADAR terminal |
Launch platform | Bomber aircraft; MGM-140 missiles |
After being launched from a weapon platform, it is guided by GPS/INS to the target general area, where it can loiter. A laser radar (LIDAR or LADAR) illuminates the targets, determines their range, and matches their 3-D geometry with pre-loaded signatures. The LOCAAS system then selects the highest priority target and selects the warhead's mode for the best effect.[2]
The LOCAAS program was cancelled.