BAE SYSTEMS2003-11-25 14:50:50
TEST FIRING OF NEWEST SEAWOLF MISSILE DEMONSTRATES PERFORMANCE OF LOW-COST, LIGHTWEIGHT SILICON GYRO TECHNOLOGY
The recent successful test firing of the U.K. Royal Navy's newest Seawolf missile is the latest demonstration of low-cost, lightweight guidance technology for weapon systems. At the heart of the missile's guidance system are solid-state silicon inertial measurement units employing SiVSG® silicon vibrating-structure gyroscopes provided by BAE Systems Inertial Products in Plymouth, U.K.
MBDA, Seawolf prime contractor and Europe's leading missile systems company, conducted the test firing of the Block 2 variant of the Vertical Launch Seawolf at the Vidsel range in northern Sweden. The test included the safety-critical turnover maneuver of the missile, which is launched vertically from the deck of a warship.
Previous versions of the Seawolf, a rapid-response naval point defence system, used conventional rotating gyros that are much bulkier, heavier, and more expensive to manufacture and maintain than the new solid-state units. Replacement of these mechanical units with silicon gyros was a key element of the U.K. Ministry of Defense's Smart Procurement initiative for Block 2.
"Silicon technology is demonstrating its potential for cost, size, and weight savings for missile systems and other military as well as civil applications,� said Art Siegel, vice president of BAE Systems Inertial Products. "We are proud to have played a key role in this test firing and are prepared to support MBDA in the program's production phase.�
The successful firing was crucial to the continued success of the Block 2 project, enabling MBDA to proceed to the next phase. The Block 2 missile runs a set of detailed checks prior to firing, including dialogues with the missile firing unit, any one of which can prevent launch. Following the completion of all checks, the missile launched, turned over onto the correct bearing, and proceeded down range, meeting all the requirements for the trial.
The SiVSGâ silicon gyro, which recently won the Queen's Award for Enterprise, U.K.'s top business award, are small enough to fit comfortably into the palm of a hand and are robust, accurate, and inexpensive enough to be used in products ranging from guided weapons to automotive antilock braking and stabilisation systems.
The recent successful test firing of the U.K. Royal Navy's newest Seawolf missile is the latest demonstration of low-cost, lightweight guidance technology for weapon systems. At the heart of the missile's guidance system are solid-state silicon inertial measurement units employing SiVSG® silicon vibrating-structure gyroscopes provided by BAE Systems Inertial Products in Plymouth, U.K.
MBDA, Seawolf prime contractor and Europe's leading missile systems company, conducted the test firing of the Block 2 variant of the Vertical Launch Seawolf at the Vidsel range in northern Sweden. The test included the safety-critical turnover maneuver of the missile, which is launched vertically from the deck of a warship.
Previous versions of the Seawolf, a rapid-response naval point defence system, used conventional rotating gyros that are much bulkier, heavier, and more expensive to manufacture and maintain than the new solid-state units. Replacement of these mechanical units with silicon gyros was a key element of the U.K. Ministry of Defense's Smart Procurement initiative for Block 2.
"Silicon technology is demonstrating its potential for cost, size, and weight savings for missile systems and other military as well as civil applications,� said Art Siegel, vice president of BAE Systems Inertial Products. "We are proud to have played a key role in this test firing and are prepared to support MBDA in the program's production phase.�
The successful firing was crucial to the continued success of the Block 2 project, enabling MBDA to proceed to the next phase. The Block 2 missile runs a set of detailed checks prior to firing, including dialogues with the missile firing unit, any one of which can prevent launch. Following the completion of all checks, the missile launched, turned over onto the correct bearing, and proceeded down range, meeting all the requirements for the trial.
The SiVSGâ silicon gyro, which recently won the Queen's Award for Enterprise, U.K.'s top business award, are small enough to fit comfortably into the palm of a hand and are robust, accurate, and inexpensive enough to be used in products ranging from guided weapons to automotive antilock braking and stabilisation systems.
For more information contact:
Warwick House
Po Box 87
Farnborough Aerospace Centre
Farnborough
Hampshire
GU14 6YU
United Kingdom
Tel: + 44 1252 373232
Fax: + 44 1252 383000
