Raytheon's Griffin missile demonstrates maritime protection capabilities

: Posted On Monday, 30 September 2013 09:24

Naval Defense Industry News - USA

Raytheon's Griffin missile demonstrates maritime protection capabilities

Raytheon Company and the U.S. Navy demonstrated the Griffin® missile's combat proven capabilities in a maritime environment by successfully engaging fast-moving small boats from various platforms throughout a series of at-sea tests.

Archive footage: Griffin Missile fired from USS Monsoon
Video: NAVSEA

During one of the tests, the MK-60 Patrol Coastal Griffin Missile System was integrated on a Cyclone-class Patrol Coastal-class ship, where the missile was employed against remote-controlled boats simulating a threat to the ship.

"The Griffin missile and the MK-60 System provide the accuracy and lethality required to meet the requirements of our operational testing," said Capt. Mike Ladner, major program manager of Surface Ship Weapons, U.S. Navy Integrated Warfare Systems 3.0 program office.

The most recent test, conducted at the Navy's Point Mugu, Calif., sea test range, marked the completion of a quick reaction assessment that will lead to fielding of the Griffin missile on forward deployed Patrol Coastal ships later this year.

"The Griffin missile is ideally suited for protecting Navy ships against the increasing small boat threat," said Harry Schulte, vice president of Air Warfare Systems for Raytheon Missile Systems. "Griffin is fully developed, lightweight and precise. It is designed with confined lethality to minimize collateral effects and maximize operational effectiveness."

The MK-60 Patrol Coastal Griffin Missile System includes a proven laser targeting system as well as a Navy-designed launcher and battle management system featuring the Griffin missile. This system will provide the Navy's Patrol Coastal class ships with their first operational capability against small boat threats outside of current gun range.

Raytheon Company and the U.S. Navy demonstrated the Griffin® missile's combat proven capabilities in a maritime environment by successfully engaging fast-moving small boats from various platforms throughout a series of at-sea tests.

US Navy Cyclone class Patrol Vessel

About Griffin

The Griffin missile is a multi-platform, multi-service weapon that has a proven track record for successful rapid integration with land, sea and air assets. The combat-proven Griffin AGM-176A is an aft-eject missile designed for employment from platforms such as the C-130 aircraft. The Griffin BGM-176B is a forward-firing missile that launches from rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft, ground-launch applications and maritime platforms. The Griffin missile is 43 inches long, weighs 33 pounds, has a 13-pound warhead, and is in production today.

Griffin enables the warfighter to engage targets via a simple user interface and guide the weapon to the target using GPS coordinates exclusively or with laser designation. To maximize lethality, the user can choose to engage the target with direct attack or high impact angle, and has the option of using height of burst, point detonation or delayed fuzing.