Carlton Meyer
Since the Marine Corps integrates task forces from ground combat and fixed-wing components, its sometimes receptive to combining technology. An excellent example is the "HUMRAAM":
www.usmc-awt.brtrc.com/firepowr/HUMRAAM.htm
This is a modified Avenger HMMWV which can fire five AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles. The AMRAAM has its own onboard radar to track its target, unlike traditional systems in which the launcher uses a large radar to direct a missile to a target. This makes the AMRAAM a "fire-and-forget" missile, and does not expose the launcher to attacks by radar-seeking missiles once the AMRAAM is in the air. The HUMRAAM is a simple concept, and tests have already confirmed hits up to 10 miles away.
This opens doors for using other aviation missiles by ground forces. The Avenger's heat-seeking Stinger missiles have a range of only 3.5 miles. However, the late-model AIM-9 Sidewinder
www.chinfo.navy.mil/navypalib/factfile/missiles/wep-side.html
heatseeking air-to-air missile has range of over ten miles, and carries a warhead three times larger. It should be simple to ground-launch longer-range Sidewinders from Avenger HMMWVs at aircraft, as they once were launched by tracked carriers in the old Chaparell ADA system.
Another candidate for ground launch is the AGM-88 HARM:
www.af.mil/news/factsheets/AGM_88_HARM.html
anti-radiation missile. This could prove deadly to enemy copies of radar-targeting helicopters, like the Apache "Longbow" if they keep emitting instead of ducking below the treetops with their mast-mounted radar domes and fast mover aircraft using radar for guidance and target searching. It could be used to suppress radar-guided surface-to-air missile systems, counter-battery radar, and large airborne-radar aircraft up to 30 miles away. Finally, if enemy ships threaten ground forces, it could fire on radar-emitting ships.
Another option is to incorporate Sidewinders and HARMs into into artillery-type munitions. They could be fired indirectly from box launchers like in current vertlaunch missile systems, and then seek targets on a downward trajectory. These missiles are expensive, but if they can destroy valuable radar or heat emitting targets at 30 miles away, they would be of great value to ground forces. The U.S. Army could also develop similar missiles which seek radio waves to exploit direction finding assets.
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Firing these long-range missiles could endanger friendly forces, so they must be carefully controlled. Since the U.S.A. currently has an overwhelming advantage in airpower, fielding these weapons are a low priority. However, tests should be conducted to evaluate the use of AMRAAM, HARM missiles for HMMWV ground launch, and U.S. attack helicopter launch. The Sidewinder can be fired now from AH-64 Apache and AH-1 Cobra helicopters, but not OH-58D Kiowa Warrior with Mast-Mounted Sight and RAH-66 Comanche scout helicopters. Finally, since current Patriot Air Defense systems are vulnerable to HARM-type missiles, they should have the flexibility to fire Sidewinders and AMRAAMs to destroy enemy aircraft seeking to fire radar-guided missiles..
21st Century Weapons
e-mail May 1998
