The US Air Force began its search for a "counter electronics munition" by issuing a request for information to industry last October. That was followed by a public briefing that outlined plans for deploying an operational weapon by 2012. As of last July, the USAF had expressed a preference for a "counter electronics" payload that is inserted into a JDAM body modified with a wingkit for extended range.
This process appears to have coalesced into a new competition launched last week for the counter-electronics HPM advanced missile project (CHAMP), a 36-month proof of principle demonstration.
Interestingly, the USAF seems to have discarded the modified JDAM strategy. Instead, the service is looking for a aerial platform -- ie, what I like to now call the "HPM bomber" -- equipped with an HPM payload.
Bids for the $40 million CHAMP contract are due on January 15, and contract award is scheduled in March. BAE Systems, MBDA and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories have already expressed interest.
This process appears to have coalesced into a new competition launched last week for the counter-electronics HPM advanced missile project (CHAMP), a 36-month proof of principle demonstration.
Interestingly, the USAF seems to have discarded the modified JDAM strategy. Instead, the service is looking for a aerial platform -- ie, what I like to now call the "HPM bomber" -- equipped with an HPM payload.
Bids for the $40 million CHAMP contract are due on January 15, and contract award is scheduled in March. BAE Systems, MBDA and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories have already expressed interest.
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