| LOCAAS | |
|---|---|
 Artist conception of LOCAAS | |
| Type | loitering munition |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Lockheed Martin |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 100 pounds (45 kg) |
| Length | 36 inches (91 cm) |
| Wingspan | 3 ft 10.5 in (1.181 m) |
| Warhead | Explosively formed projectile |
| Warhead weight | 17 lb (7.7 kg) |
| Engine | Technical Directions TDI-J45G turbojet 30 lbf (0.13 kN) thrust |
Operational range | over 100 mi (160 km) 30 minute loiter time |
| Flight altitude | 750 feet (230 m) |
| Maximum speed | 230 miles per hour (370 km/h) |
Guidance system | GPS/inertial midcourse LADAR terminal |
Launch platform | Bomber aircraft; MGM-140 missiles |
The Low Cost Autonomous Attack System (LOCAAS) was a loitering attack munition developed for the United States Air Force (USAF). In 1998 the USAF and U.S. Army Lockheed Martin began to examine the feasibility of a small, affordable cruise missile weapon for use against armoured and unarmoured vehicles, materiel and personnel, and if so develop a demonstration program. [1] The program cost approximately $150,000,000; the cost per unit was calculated to be $30,000 based on a production of 12,000 units before cancellation.
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After being launched from a weapon platform, it is guided by GPS/INS to the target general area, where it can loiter. A laser radar (LIDAR or LADAR) illuminates the targets, determines their range, and matches their 3-D geometry with pre-loaded signatures. The LOCAAS system then selects the highest priority target and selects the warhead's mode for the best effect. [2]
The LOCAAS program was cancelled.