STANDOFF LAND ATTACK MISSILE (SLAM)

SLAM is a derivative of the Harpoon anti-ship missile. It provides the Navy with surgical strike capability against fixed land targets or ships. 1. Carrier-based deployment * Target location and other mission data are generated from information sources on board the carrier and are loaded into missile prior to takeoff. 2. Launch from attack aircraft * Can be launched from safe standoff ranges in excess of 50 nautical miles. Once launched, the missile may be controlled from even greater ranges. 3. Midcourse guidance * While the missile is in flight, the satellite receiver / processor updates the missile’s inertial navigational system. This helps ensure that the imaging infrared seeker is pointed directly at the target. 4. Precision strike of land targets * When the infrared seeker is activated, it sends a video image to the pilot or bombardier-navigator, who selects a specific aimpoint on the target. * After the bombardier-navigator locks the seeker onto the target, the missile makes an autonomous precision strike that minimizes damage to surrounding areas. Inside the SLAM:

First delivered to the Navy in Nov. 1988; the first development flight test was in June 1989. Cost is about $1 million apiece. Manufactured by McDonnell-Douglas Corp. in St. Louis. INFRARED SEEKER: Autonomous tracking of the designated target aimpoint. Includes a processor and software for tracking. GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM RECEIVER: Navigation processor performs guidance system navigation; interfaces with existing Harpoon command and launch system. GUIDANCE INTERFACE UNIT RADAR ALTIMETER WALLEYE DATA LINK: Command receiver and video transmitter. WARHEAD: Fuse provides instantaneous and delayed detonation. MIDCOURSE GUIDANCE UNIT: Attitude Reference Assembly and a general purpose digital computer. CONTROL: Electromechanical actuators on four control fins. PROPULSION: Turbojet engine, sealed fuel tank and batteries.