US: Raytheon Company and Bell Helicopter have completed two successful launches of the Griffin B missile from a Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey multi-mission aircraft at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona. As an industry funded effort with Bell's Xworx, Raytheon demonstrated the simplicity of integrating the Griffin B missile onto the V-22 platform.
"This is the first time a forward-firing missile has been launched from the V-22. It's an important aspect of the V-22's capability that integrates a simple to operate, low-cost, precision strike missile – something in which the US Air Force Special Operations Command has shown significant interest,” said Mike Jarrett, Vice President of Raytheon's Air Warfare Systems. According to a spokesperson from Raytheon, Bell flight test crews launched two Griffin B missiles, scoring direct hits from both hover mode and during conversion mode at 110 knots. The results highlight the Griffin B's versatility with its unique ability to engage static and moving targets through a significant range of launch speeds. The Griffin B missile has a significant off-axis launch capability, allowing aircrews to precisely strike targets to the left or right of the aircraft flight path.
"The results of this test show how the defense industry can partner to quickly put a new, needed capability in the hands of frontline operators. Griffin B's successful shots from the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey demonstrate that the missile is flexible and able to integrate on a variety of platforms,” added Jarrett.
Source: Raytheon
