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HDAM missile launched by F-16 hits low-power target

February 21, 2007 (by Lieven Dewitte) - A U.S. HDAM missile has been developed that's better at distinguishing low-power radar emitters from other electronic sources.
The HDAM (HARM destruction of enemy air defense attack module) recently underwent a series of tests in the Southern California desert in which the weapon ferreted out low-power emitters following launch from standoff range by an F-16 flying at nearly supersonic speed.

The ability to distinguish between low- and high-power emitters enhances the missile's ability to home in on genuine enemy radar instead of a higher-power jamming device, or even equipment belonging to friendly forces.

Jeff Wadsworth, director of the overall HARM missile program at Raytheon, said the tests at the China Lake Test Range showed HDAM could become a means of "suppression or destruction of enemy air defenses weapon with additional capability as a high-speed strike weapon."

"HDAM can be a new, multi-role arrow in the Air Force quiver," Wadsworth said in a news release Wednesday.

Raytheon ran three free-flight tests at China Lake that verified the performance of software and navigation systems. The final test saw the F-16 launch the HDAM from 25,000 feet roughly 29 miles from the target. The missile was able to acquire the low-power emitter.