ST. LOUIS, July 24, 1996 -- In tests conducted in early June, the Standoff Land Attack Missile Expanded Response (SLAM ER) once again showed its mettle by successfully completing a series of captive loads flight tests aboard an F/A-18 Hornet.
"SLAM ER continues to meet and, in many cases, exceed our highest performance expectations," said Bob Krieger, general manager for missile systems at McDonnell Douglas. "We're on schedule and on budget, and looking forward to rolling out the first flight test evaluation SLAM ER in late December this year."
Three flight tests, using two SLAM ER Recoverable Aerodynamic Test Vehicles (RATVs), verified that loads presented to the aircraft by the carriage of the SLAM ER missile are within the acceptable region. Prior to conducting the tests at the Naval Air Warfare Center at Patuxent River, Md., computer analysis showed the loads generated by carrying a SLAM ER on an F/A-18 would have no impact on the performance of the aircraft. The RATV tests conducted in June prove the computer analysis is right on.
Having successfully completed the series of captive loads flight tests, the SLAM ER is on schedule to proceed to the next level of tests. Beginning in early August and continuing for six months, separation tests leading to the flight certification of the SLAM ER missile will be conducted.
SLAM ER is scheduled to make its first flight in February 1997.
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McDonnell Douglas
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