The mission: Validating the performance of a LaGS missile
Our defence customer needed to validate that their weapon system could acquire and hit a moving ground target in specified conditions. The missile in focus was a Sidewinder missile retrofitted with a laser guidance system, enabling air-to-surface firings.
With large spaces suitable for laser-guided weapon usage, moving targets and more, this would be a complex project, needing a great deal of support and infrastructure.
A successful trial of the Laser-Guided Sidewinder (LaGS) would hinge upon expertise, as the flight of the aircraft, firing of the missile and the driving of the car target must all be directed with precision by the test leader. Pointing the laser designator with sufficient accuracy at the moving car and tracking the laser spot with a camera would also be challenging.
Do you have missiles to validate?
The solution: Laser-guided live firings on ground targets
We were able to perform the necessary LaGS-Gripen integration tests at our FMV Flight Test Centre as a first step. When that was completed, live firing from the Gripen fighter was carried out at our Vidsel Test Range.
Since the LaGS has the same interface as the traditional Sidewinder, our in-house Gripen fighter was able to be used as a convenient alternative to the primary platform, the Tornado fighter. As the Gripen test vehicle was available at the time, it could be used in some trials, shortening the lead time. This was only possible as a result of our long experience of missile integration and flexible test range.
We performed full documentation of the missile separation, trajectory and impact. A number of systems were used including a chase aircraft equipped with a camera to record the separation and flight, radar and theodolites for trajectory and high-speed cameras to document the impact on the moving vehicle target. This type of system setup can be complicated, but our expert staff and advanced facilities ensured a smooth test experience.
Find out more about the facilities used in this case:
The result: Moving ground target hit
Working closely with the customer, we were able to meet their tightly scheduled test requirements. Thanks to the comprehensive and thoroughly documented testing, our customer was satisfied, having successfully validated that their LaGS weapon system could acquire and hit a moving ground target under their exact specified conditions.
Learn more about our airborne weapon and electronic warfare system T&E
Services delivered
- Support from experienced Flight Test Centre staff
- Airborne test platform (Gripen)
- Test range with necessary infrastructure for missile live firing
- Test management
- Development of verification and validation strategies and plans
- Technical and safety reviews
- Trial planning and execution
- Development of test plans and test cards
- Data recording and analysis
- Delivery of test reports and recommendations