Textron Systems Corporation has been awarded a prototype agreement by the U.S. Army under the Low Altitude Stalking & Strike Ordnance (LASSO) programme. The agreement provides for delivery of the Damocles™ loitering munition system and its demonstration to the U.S. Army.
DAMOCLES™ INTEGRATED FOR VERTICAL TAKE-OFF AND LANDING OPERATIONS
For the LASSO programme, the Damocles™ loitering munition is integrated with a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) uncrewed aircraft system (UAS). In this configuration, the system does not require launch or recovery equipment.
The munition is equipped with Textron Systems’ GEN2 Explosively Formed Penetrator (EFP) and is designed to provide top-attack capability. According to the company, the system is intended for use in peer warfare environments and is capable of beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) engagement.
Henry Finneral, Senior Vice President, Weapon Systems at Textron Systems, stated that loitering munitions enable warfighters to engage targets from a safer stand-off distance.
MODULAR ARCHITECTURE AND SAFETY FEATURES
The Damocles™ system is developed using a modular open systems approach (MOSA), allowing integration of additional payloads to support varying concepts of operation, including electronic warfare effects.
For operational safety, the system incorporates features intended to prevent unexploded ordnance (UXO), thereby reducing the risk of hazardous remnants.
SOURCE AND IMAGE: TEXTRON SYSTEMS
