Navy tests Griffin B missile

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NATIONAL HARBOR, Md., April 20 (UPI) -- The Griffin B missile, used on U.S. C-130J Harvest Hawk aircraft, has been fired successfully from a land-based rolling airframe for the first time.

The test was conducted late last year, Raytheon said, and proves the weapon's value for the U.S. Navy in countering asymmetrical threats.

"Griffin enables sailors to defend against small, fast-moving surface craft employed by pirates and other non-traditional threats," said Harry Schulte, vice president of Raytheon Missile Systems' Air Warfare Systems product line.

"Griffin provides warfighters with a powerful capability that is ready today without the time and expense of development because the weapon is mature, in production and combat proven."

Raytheon said that in the test the Griffin was fired from a land-based RAM launcher at a static target about 2 miles distant. With Global Positioning System and laser guidance systems, the missile achieved a direct hit.

The Griffin, as integrated on C-130Js, is an aft-eject missile. It can also be used by rotary aircraft. It is 43 inches long, weighs 33 pounds and has a 13-pound warhead. It features user options such as selection of burst height, point detonation or fuse delay burst.