Raytheon, Bell Conduct 1st Missile Launch from V-22

Raytheon Company and Bell Helicopter completed two successful launches of the Griffin B missile from a Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey multi-mission aircraft at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona. As an industry funded effort with Bell's Xworx, Raytheon demonstrated the simplicity of integrating the Griffin B missile onto the V-22 platform.

"This is the first time a forward-firing missile has been launched from the V-22," said Mike Jarrett, vice president of Raytheon's Air Warfare Systems. "It's an important aspect of the V-22's capability that integrates a simple to operate, low-cost, precision strike missile – something in which the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command has shown significant interest."  

Bell flight test crews launched two Griffin B missiles, scoring direct hits from both hover mode and during conversion mode at 110 knots. The results highlight the Griffin B's versatility with its unique ability to engage static and moving targets through a significant range of launch speeds. The Griffin B missile has a significant off-axis launch capability, allowing aircrews to precisely strike targets to the left or right of the aircraft flight path.

"The results of this test show how the defense industry can partner to quickly put a new, needed capability in the hands of frontline operators," said Jarrett. "Griffin B's successful shots from the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey demonstrate that the missile is flexible and able to integrate on a variety of platforms."    

About Griffin
The Griffin missile is a multi-platform, multi-service weapon that has a proven track record for successful rapid integration on land, sea and air platforms. The combat-proven Griffin A (AGM-176A) is an aft-eject missile designed for employment from platforms such as the C-130 aircraft. The Griffin B (BGM-176B) is a forward-firing missile capable of launching from rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft, ground-launch applications and maritime platforms. The Griffin missile is 43 inches long, weighs 33 pounds, has a 13-pound warhead, and is in production today. Griffin enables the warfighter to engage targets via a simple user interface and guide the weapon to the target using GPS coordinates exclusively or with laser designation. To maximize lethality, the user can choose to engage the target with direct attack or high impact angle and has the option of using height of burst, point detonation or delayed fuzing.

Source : Raytheon Corporation