U.S. Army's SLAMRAAM Gets a New Launcher

The U.S. Army's Surface Launched Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (SLAMRAAM) was test-fired for the first time from a Family of Medium Tactical Vehicle (FMTV) platform, marking an early step in the program's transition to a new launcher.

Originally designed to be launched from Humvees, the Army decided last summer to move the missile defense system to the bigger, better protected FMTVs. The heavy trucks are more survivable and rugged than the Army's Humvees, which rarely go outside of bases in Afghanistan.
The test took place Aug. 25 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., and included multiple firings of the AMRAAM missiles, according to a press release from Raytheon.

The goal of the test was to evaluate the impact of the missile firing on the truck. Raytheon collected initial launch condition data, which will be used to reduce risk on other potential FMTV missile integration efforts, such as the AIM-9X missile, reads the company statement.

The integration of the AIM-9X missile into the system is still in development, Raytheon spokeswoman Michele Lemos said.

Additional missile firings are planned later this month to conduct safety assessments, which are required before letting soldiers operate the system.

A limited user test is scheduled for February or March, followed by a milestone C decision in June, Lemos confirmed.