Red Wolf Precision Attack Munition Development

U.S. Naval Air Systems Command and L3Harris Technologies collaborate on the Red Wolf precision munition program to provide extended-range strike systems for Marine Corps platforms in modern combat scenarios.

The U.S. Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) has contracted L3Harris Technologies to develop, test and manufacture the Red Wolf precision attack strike munition under the Marine Corps’ Precision Attack Strike Munition program. The technical cooperation focuses on enhancing long-range strike capacity, autonomy and system integration for vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) platforms and other launch vehicles.

Context of the Cooperation
NAVAIR, the acquisition authority within the U.S. Department of Defense, selected L3Harris to address an operational challenge: the need for a precision-guided, long-range strike system that can engage moving targets, including maritime threats, beyond current operational ranges. This requirement stems from evolving threat environments where adversary systems operate at extended distances and utilize unmanned platforms, necessitating weapons capable of beyond-line-of-sight engagements. The cooperation aligns naval strike modernization efforts with Marine Corps operational needs for adaptable precision munitions.

Technical Solution and Partner Responsibilities
The Red Wolf system is a modular launched-effects vehicle designed to provide precision strike effects at ranges up to approximately 200 nautical miles. Its architecture integrates:

These elements support networked precision engagement across domains. The system builds on extensive flight demonstrations that included 52 launched effects flights, with recent tests from Marine Corps rotary wing platforms.

Under the contract, L3Harris is responsible for system engineering, prototype development, flight testing and manufacturing. NAVAIR provides program oversight, requirements definition, integration support and ensures compliance with applicable military standards for tactical weapons and launch interfaces. The collaboration adheres to Department of Defense acquisition frameworks and test standards for precision guided munitions.

Deployment and Integration
The Red Wolf system will be integrated with existing Marine Corps airborne platforms capable of carrying and launching launched effects vehicles. Implementation phases include continued test flights to validate performance parameters and iterative integration with communication and fire control systems. Integration tasks involve adapting guidance interfaces and launch hardware to Marine Corps aircraft avionics and mission systems.

Applications and Operational Use
Targeted application areas include long-range precision strike missions against dynamically located surface and sea targets where traditional line-of-sight weapons are limited. Use cases encompass suppression of small surface combatants and mobile threat systems, as well as enabling extended reach for distributed operations where aircraft can deliver effects beyond adversary defensive perimeters.

Expected Impact
The technical cooperation aims to fill a documented capability gap in naval and expeditionary strike missions by enhancing range, target engagement flexibility and platform interoperability. Red Wolf’s beyond-line-of-sight engagement and autonomous features are designed to increase available strike assets and mission effectiveness while leveraging existing platform infrastructures. Performance parameters such as range extension to roughly 200 nautical miles and robust communications integration support operational scalability.

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