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USMC AH-1Z fires Red Wolf launched effects

The US Marine Corps continued its strong momentum with affordable mass effectors by performing a successful low-altitude test firing of the L3Harris Technologies Red Wolf vehicle over the Atlantic Test Range in September.

Mounted to the pylon of an AH-1Z Viper helicopter, a Red Wolf vehicle successfully launched and engaged a sea-based target as part of the Marine’s Long Range Attack Missile (LRAM) capability demonstration. Red Wolf also participated in the targeting network, highlighting its operational relevance.

“This test validated Red Wolf’s advanced tracking and targeting capabilities, further demonstrating its ease of use and integration across platforms,” said Ed Zoiss, President, Space and Airborne Systems, L3Harris, in a company news release. “We’ve now proven our launched effects vehicles will help provide our warfighters the asymmetrical advantage they need to handle increasingly sophisticated threats without the need to enter into adversary weapon engagement zones.”

Kinetic platform for long-range precision strikes

This live-fire test over the Atlantic Ocean was the latest in a series of multi-service air- and ground-launched demonstrations that integrated L3Harris’ “wolf pack” of launched effects vehicles into existing combat platforms, including the first time a Marine Corps rotary-wing platform employed a weapon system using a tablet-controlled device.

Designed to meet the US military’s urgent need for advanced, capable and affordable munitions, L3Harris’ expanding family of multi-role vehicles can be employed across services and domains, enabling shared costs and driving efficiency in defense spending. Red Wolf is a kinetic platform for long-range precision strikes, while Green Wolf is an electronic warfare platform equipped with electronic attack and detect, identify, locate and report capabilities. The production line for Red Wolf and Green Wolf vehicles is active in support of L3Harris customer demonstration and mission needs.

The vehicles are flexible, modular and feature advanced software for in-flight collaboration and re-targeting, and support swarming capability of autonomous aircraft. They can also be built to be recoverable in support of ever-changing mission needs.

Adaptable for the joint fight

Interoperable across the joint forces, the L3Harris Family of Launched Effects delivers lethality, situational awareness and adaptability across multiple domains, ensuring a critical battlefield edge when it matters most.

• Versatile for any scenario: Can be used for precision strikes, surveillance, electronic warfare, decoy operations and target tracking.
• Ultimate launch flexibility: Operable with various platforms, crewed and uncrewed aircraft, fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and ground launch, allowing for flexible deployment based on mission needs.
• Recover, refurbish and re-launch: Proven optional parachute recovery system enables quick in-theater refurbishment for back-to-back flights. Allows warfighters to launch multiple flights, utilize electronic warfare payloads, and reduce per-mission costs without compromising the vehicle or payload effects.
• Flies faster, farther and longer: Proven endurance in flight testing, demonstrating high subsonic speeds, 200+ nautical mile range at low altitudes, and 60+ minutes duration. Upcoming tests will confirm modeling data of greater speed, range and duration capabilities.
• Smart and connected: Powered by advanced software, enabling real-time decisions, adaptation to evolving threats, and networked coordination with other systems.

The L3Harris Family of Launched Effects delivers lethal effectiveness at a fraction of the price of traditional weapons systems, thanks to already-borne development costs and investments.

• Scalable savings: When mass-produced, each unit will be substantially more affordable than traditional munitions available today.
• Shared investment, greater efficiencies: Flexible and adaptable across all Department of Defense services, enabling shared costs and driving efficiency in defense spending.

Photo credit: U.S. Marine Corps