Affordable Weapon System
{{Update|Program status|date=November 2014}}
The Affordable Weapon System is a US Navy program to design and produce a low cost "off the shelf" cruise missile launchable from a self-contained unit mounted in a standard shipping container.
The need for the US Army to mass-manufacture more affordable, low overhead weapons became a pressing matter during the 1970s, a decade when costs to operate and support an armed inventory grew rapidly and consequently reduced budgets for new weapons acquisitions.{{Cite web |last=Belvoir |first=Virginia |date=1977 |title=Acquiring Affordable Weapons Systems |url=https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/tr/pdf/ADA042777.pdf |access-date=21 February 2024 |website=Dtic.mil}} The US weapons inventory is the most advanced in the world, but its volume is deemed insufficient in a theoretical war against China for example (especially the long-range precision-guided weaponry). To that effect, BAE Systems had developed a kit (Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System) to convert Hydra rockets into smart, precision-guided ammo.{{Cite web |last=Thompson |first=Loren |title=Urgent Military Need For 'Affordable Mass' Can't Wait For A New Generation Of Smart Munitions |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/lorenthompson/2023/05/16/urgent-military-need-for-affordable-mass-cant-wait-for-a-new-generation-of-smart-munitions/ |access-date=2024-02-21 |website=Forbes |language=en}}
Specifications
- Length: (w/o booster): 3.32 m (10 ft 11 in) {{cite web|url=http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/app4/affordable-weapon.html|title=ONR/Titan Affordable Weapon - Designation Systems}}
- Diameter: 34.3 cm (13.5 in)
- Weight: 394 kg (737 lb)
- Speed: 400 km/h (250 mph)
- Ceiling: 4570 m (15000 ft)
- Range: > 1560 km (840 nm)
- Propulsion: Solid rocket booster and SWB Turbines SWB-65 turbojet sustainer.
- Payload: 200 lbs.{{cite web|url=http://asitinc.com/products_and_services/productservice.aspx?type=ps&id=130|title=AFFORDABLE WEAPON SYSTEM (AWS)}}
- Guidance: GPS and in-flight datalink.
Program status
- April 2002 - International Systems LLC of San Diego, Calif. (subsidiary of Titan Corp.) awarded a $25,657,312 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for continuing development and implementation.{{cite web|url=http://www.defenselink.mil/contracts/contract.aspx?contractid=2247|title=Defense Links contracts}}
- June 2005 - Titan awarded a $32.4 million contract modification to produce approximately 85 missiles for demonstration, test and evaluation. The contract also includes work for the AWS launcher design and ship integration.{{cite web|url=http://www.freshnews.com/news/defense-west/article_24491.html?Titan |title=U.S. Navy Awards Titan $32.4 Million Affordable Weapon System Contract |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20051122211616/http://freshnews.com/news/defense-west/article_24491.html?Titan |archivedate=2005-11-22 }}{{Cite web |date=2005-06-06 |title=Titan Wins US Navy Affordable Weapons Deal (Jun 8) |url=https://www.defense-aerospace.com/titan-wins-us-navy-affordable-weapons-deal-jun-8/ |access-date=2024-02-21 |website=Defense aerospace |language=en-US}}
- September 2005 - Titan awards contract for launch systems to BAE Systems.{{cite web|url=http://www.allbusiness.com/defense-aerospace/defense-industry-defense-electronics/5062699-1.html|title=BAE SYSTEMS To Build Launching Systems for Titan's Affordable Weapon System}}
- 2007 - Duncan L. Hunter pushed a 30 million dollars budget in the yearly defense appropriations bill to continue the development of AWS, despite inconclusive 2006 tryouts.{{Cite magazine |last=Shachtman |first=Noah |title=Hunter's Folly 2: Misfiring Missile |url=https://www.wired.com/2007/06/a-flightless-pl/ |access-date=2024-02-21 |magazine=Wired |language=en-US |issn=1059-1028}}
- July 2008 - DOD Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation budget earmarks $15,200,000 for program.
- November 2008 - MBDA Incorporated is awarded a $4,530,231 contract for research into the best material approach and the completion of risk reduction tasks for the AWS.{{Cite web |title=MBDA wins Affordable Weapon System Contract |date=24 November 2008 |url=https://www.defense-aerospace.com/mbda-wins-affordable-weapon-system-contract/}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.swbturbines.com/products/SWB-65.htm SWB Turbines SWB-65]
- [https://archive.today/20130205043050/http://www.uniontrib.com/uniontrib/20050416/news_m1b16titan.html Titan shoots for bargain missile - San Diego Union-Tribune]
Category:Cruise missiles of the United States
Category:Proposed weapons of the United States
Category:Equipment of the United States Navy
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