The US military has successfully flight tested a GPS-guided Scorpion munition which was deployed at an altitude of 5,000 feet from a C-130 aircraft.
“Scorpion..glided 1.65 nautical miles [by] utilizing a Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation System to locate the target area,” explained Lockheed Martin VP Randy Bigum.
“[The munition then] employed its Semi-Active Laser (SAL) seeker to strike the target.”
Bigum described the Scorpion as a “lightweight and compact munition” that offers soldiers an affordable strike option against a broad target set.
“[It] is adaptable to multiple launch platforms, including manned and unmanned systems.
“ Targets can include structures, personnel, lightly armored vehicles, trucks, cars, missile launchers and artillery or gun positions. It has a maximum range of over 10 nautical miles.”
According to Bigum, the Scorpion uses a SAL seeker for “man-in-the-loop” terminal guidance and can be tailored to exploit planned, imaging infrared, shortwave infrared or millimeter wave seekers.
“The precision provided by these seeker types ensures accuracy to less than one meter and dramatically reduces the possibility of collateral damage. Multiple warhead options are also available for use against various target types,” he added.
