DRL
is the answer to an urgent operational needs statement (UONS) from the
Navy, and its quick fleet deployment is the result of the hard work
and cooperation of a number of program offices here at Naval Air Systems
Command (NAVAIR), said Cmdr. Alex Dutko, the Airborne Rockets and Pyrotechnics
team lead for the Direct Time and Sensitive Strike Weapons program (PMA-242).
Dutko’s team
worked closely with the H-60 Multi-Missions Helicopter Program (PMA-299)
to deliver DRL to the fleet in less than 24 months.
This new, “smart” launcher will first be integrated onto
the MH-60S as part of a Rapid Deployment Capability (RDC) and later,
onto the MH-60R and potentially other platforms.
“The fleet is very excited because this launcher will make an
armed helo even more lethal than it already is,” said John Male,
PMA-299’s Common Weapons lead. “The H-60 Sierra is already
a significant threat, but the new launcher, and all that it brings,
will allow the aircraft to engage a larger set of threats.”
Though the helicopter can be equipped with a variety of other weapons
systems, the DRL will permit employment of the Advanced Precision Kill
Weapons System (APKWS), Dutko said. A semi-active laser guidance section
added to legacy rocket components, APKWS offers greater precision than
the unguided rockets currently employed from helicopters.
Additionally, the DRL’s digital interface makes it capable of
employing a wider variety of rocket configurations, offering significant
flexibility to engage different target sets. DRL allows for sequential
and selective single fire; selective and all ripple fire; and rocket-inventory
tracking, not available in its legacy predecessor, which required aircrew
to keep a physical record of rockets fired.
“When the vice chief of naval operations (VCNO) told us to 'Get
lead in the air,' that was a clear, concise and direct statement reflecting
the urgency with which we needed to accomplish this effort,” said
Capt. Jim Glass, PMA-299 program manager. “Having a UONS is in
integral part of this process, but when Navy leadership reinforced the
urgency of the need with a short direct edict, the imperative was crystal
clear, and this joint team responded.”
In 2012, the team was challenged to complete the project in 24 months
and deliver EOC to the fleet in March 2014.
“We have a lot of important programs in our portfolio,”
Capt. Al Mousseau, PMA-242 program manager explained. “While all
of these programs are developing and delivering capability crucial to
the warfighter, DRL is an RDC that Navy leadership asked us to deliver
to the fleet as quickly as possible — at least one year ahead
of what a normal program would have delivered."
Throughout the accelerated development effort, the team overcame numerous
technical challenges and ultimately produced 22 launchers that fully
incorporate a multitude of configuration changes. These launchers will
support the scheduled deployment of HSC-15 later this summer.
“It’s not often that you see a program go from a sketch
on a piece of paper, to a reality,” Dutko said. “I keep
telling the team: this is unique, special. EOC is just the first step
to equipping the fleet with the capability and lethality that we need
to be effective and successful in countering the fast inshore attack
craft threat.”
PMA-242 is responsible for the acquisition, development and sustainment
of weapon systems, including anti-radiation missile systems; airborne
rocket systems; precision guided munitions; airborne gun systems; and
joint air-to-ground munitions. PMA-299 provides full-spectrum, worldwide
support for the Navy’s SH-60B, SH-60F, HH-60H, MH-60S and MH-60R
helicopters and user communities. |
