Raytheon, Bell Helicopter Test-Fires Griffin B Missiles From V-22 Osprey

Raytheon and Bell Helicopter successfully test-fired two Griffin B missiles from a Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey multi-mission aircraft on December 16.

The Griffin missile is a multi-platform, multi-service weapon that has a proven track record for successful rapid integration on land, sea and air platforms.

As an industry funded effort with Bell's Xworx, Raytheon demonstrated the simplicity of integrating the Griffin B missile onto the V-22 platform.

"This is the first time a forward-firing missile has been launched from the V-22," said Mike Jarrett, vice president of Raytheon's Air Warfare Systems.

"It's an important aspect of the V-22's capability that integrates a simple to operate, low-cost, precision strike missile – something in which the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command has shown significant interest" he added.

Bell flight test crews launched two Griffin B missiles, scoring direct hits from both hover mode and during conversion mode at 110 knots. The results highlight the Griffin B's versatility with its unique ability to engage static and moving targets through a significant range of launch speeds. The Griffin B missile allows aircrews to precisely strike targets to the left or right of the aircraft flight path as it has off-axis launch capability

"Griffin B's successful shots from the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey demonstrate that the missile is flexible and able to integrate on a variety of platforms" said Jarrett.