A Lockheed Martin Scorpion munitionwas successfully flight tested June 17 from a C-130 aircraft at YumaProving Ground, AZ. Ejected at an altitude of 5,000 feet through aCommon Launch Tube on the aircraft, Scorpion successfully deployed itsfins and wing, allowing it to precisely glide 1.65 nautical miles tothe target.
Utilizing a Global Positioning System / Inertial Navigation Systemto locate the target area, Scorpion employed its Semi-Active Laser(SAL) seeker to strike the laser-designated target. The SAL seeker isone of several seekers that can be used with Scorpion.
Scorpion is an unpowered, lightweight, compact munition that provides the Warfighter with an affordable strike optionagainst a broad target set. Scorpion is adaptable to multiple launchplatforms, including manned and unmanned systems. Targets can includestructures, personnel, lightly armored vehicles, trucks, cars, missile launchers, and artillery or gun positions. It has a maximum range of over 10 nautical miles.
"Scorpion provides the Warfighter with a much-needed affordablesolution against targets in areas requiring low collateral damage, suchas urban environments," said Randy Bigum, vice president of StrikeWeapons forLockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "This precision attack munitionfeatures a small, lethal warhead which can be launched from a widevariety of platforms to take out time-critical fixed or moving targets."
Scorpion uses a SAL seeker for man-in-the-loop terminal guidance,and can be tailored to use planned, imaging infrared, shortwaveinfrared or millimeter wave seekers. The precision provided by theseseeker types ensures accuracyto less than one meter and dramatically reduces the possibility ofcollateral damage. Multiple warhead options are also available for useagainst various target types.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global securitycompany that employs about 136,000 people worldwide and is principallyengaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integrationand sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation reported 2009 sales of $45.2 billion.