Additional Northrop Grumman Viper Strikes With Moving Target Capability Being Added to KC-130J Arsenal

source defense-update.com

HUNTSVILLE, Ala., Aug. 22, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE)

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has been awarded a contract for additional Viper Strikes munitions to equip the U.S. Marine Corps Harvest Hawk aircraft and bring greater utility to the Marines' KC-130J refueling and cargo aircraft.

Under the terms of the contract, Northrop Grumman will deliver multiple Viper Strikes beginning this year to the Joint Attack Munition Systems Project Office within the Program Executive Office Missiles and Space at Redstone Arsenal for eventual integration onto the KC-130J platform. 

All the Viper Strike munitions on Harvest Hawk will now carry the latest software load that greatly enhances the weapon's effectiveness against moving targets. During flight testing at China Lake, Calif., Viper Strike scored multiple hits against moving vehicles in various scenarios to prove this new capability.

Viper Strike is a gliding munition capable of precision attack from extended stand-off ranges using GPS-aided navigation and a semi-active laser seeker. Its small size, precision and high agility provide a very low collateral damage weapon that can be used in the difficult operational environments where U.S. troops may be deployed.

"In today's irregular warfare environment, Viper Strike provides the right characteristics needed to support our warfighters in the current fight ─ high precision and agility to hit moving and stationary targets in complex terrain and with very low collateral damage," said Steve Considine, programs director, Aviation and Weapons for Northrop Grumman's Land and Self Protection Systems Division. "The KC-103J represents the latest military airborne asset to be equipped with Viper Strike's formidable capabilities."

Viper Strike munitions are produced at the company's Huntsville, facility.