Navy enhances warhead for Marine helicopters

The Department of the Navy is increasing capability of existing rocket systems with the recent introduction of a flechette warhead for use by Marine Corps’ helicopters in Afghanistan.

This is the first time the Navy has produced a new flechette warhead since the Vietnam Era.

“The Navy and Marine Corps inventory from the Vietnam era flechette warheads was near depletion and becoming unreliable. This warhead employs larger flechettes to meet the needs of today’s warfighter,” said Capt. Brian Corey, Program Manager for Naval Air Systems Command Direct and Time Sensitive Weapons (PMA-242) at Patuxent River, Md.

Engineers from PMA-242, the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head division, and industry partner General Dynamics are responsible for designing the 149 Mod 0 Flechette Warhead.

General Dynamic’s integration of a new fuse into an Army 2.75 inch flechette warhead increases the capability and compatibility of the weapon with Marine Corps’ helicopters. The 2.75 inch Rocket System Flechette warheads are being used by AH-1W and UH-1N helicopters in theater.

The 149 Mod 0 Flechette warhead is three times the size of the old variant for each individual dart. The new flechette is comparable to a 5.56 millimeter round with regard to weight and velocity and impacts a larger area of ground compared to high explosive rockets.

“The 149 is a likely weapon of choice for troops in the open or like targets. The steel darts will not deform or mushroom like a rifle round and are capable of penetrating light cover and vegetation,” according to Maj. Jim Brown, AH-1W Division Head for the Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron at Yuma, Ariz.

Flechette warheads are used against personnel and light armored targets. They effect targets with kinetic energy and there are no high explosive or chemical reactions.

“Reports from Afghanistan indicate that the new warhead is a major improvement over the previous version and right on the mark for today’s fight,” said Corey.

PMA-242 is responsible for the acquisition, development, and sustainment of direct and time sensitive strike weapon programs.

Source: NAVAIR