Northrop Grumman Jackal Cruise Missile/Loitering Munition
Several years ago, Northrop Grumman began developing a new light cruise missile called Jackal. This missile was to be a functional analogue of loitering munitions and perform similar tasks, but at a greater range. Work on the project continues and yields new results.
Functional analogue
The development of the advanced Jackal missile began at the beginning of the current decade by order of the US Marine Corps. The customer wanted to get a new weapon with the dimensions and functions of a loitering munition (LM), but having the flight and technical characteristics of a full-fledged cruise missile.
The order for the development of the new product was given to Northrop Grumman, which has extensive experience in the field of rocket technology and related technologies. The company did not engage in the development independently, but joined forces with AeroVironment, one of the leading American manufacturers of BB.
The design of the "Jackal" took less than two years. Already in 2022, a model of this product was presented at one of the American exhibitions. At that time, the new development was positioned as a promising BB with improved flight characteristics. It was claimed that this aircraft would be able to quickly reach the patrol line, fly away from the launch site over long distances, and also search for and hit various ground targets.
The Jackal was intended to fill the gap between traditional BBs and full-fledged cruise missiles. It was supposed to combine the best features of both classes of weapons and implement them in the best possible way.
Model of the Shakal missile at the AUSA 2024 exhibition
In the same year 2022, prototypes of the Jackal were manufactured and the first flight tests took place. All the details of these tests remain unknown, but it was reported that the prototype or prototypes demonstrated a sufficient level of performance and their ability to solve real-world problems.
In a new role
Recently, in mid-October, the annual conference of the US Army Association AUSA 2024 was held in the United States, within the framework of which an exhibition of new developments was held. The company Northrop-Grumman, along with its other products, showed an updated version of the "Jackal". In addition, they disclosed data on the modified project and showed a promotional video.
Over the past time, the developer has revised its views on the Jackal project. Previously, this promising weapon was called a loitering munition, but now it is classified as a missile. In addition, the technical appearance of the product has changed. Its layout has been revised, and, perhaps, some devices and units have been replaced.
At AUSA 2024, it was announced that full flight tests of the updated Shakal will begin next year. The time required for these tests is still unknown. It follows that the new missile may not be accepted into service by the army before the end of 2025.
The new BB is intended for the Army and Marine Corps. It is planned to be used in rifle and other units as a supplement to existing loitering munitions. Jackal will conduct reconnaissance, search and destroy targets at a greater distance, where other BBs cannot work, and other strike systems are impractical or redundant.
Cruise missile
Although the Jackal is positioned as an BB, its design is more like a cruise missile. It is built in a glider with an elongated fuselage and folding wings. The tail assembly includes a V-shaped stabilizer and other planes.
Missile with a jamming station
Interestingly, the 2022 mockup had a high wing and a near-square fuselage cross-section. The new missile/loitering munition mockup features a cylindrical fuselage and an underbody wing hinge. However, the older design missiles can be seen in a recent promotional video.
The exact dimensions of the product are not reported. The dimensions of the model indicate a total length of about 1,2-1,5 m with a comparable wing span. The weight of the structure is also not yet known. Probably, we are talking about kilograms, and therefore the payload does not exceed 4,54 kg.
In order to improve flight characteristics, it was decided to abandon the traditional UAV electric motor with a propeller. Instead, a small-sized short-life turbojet engine is installed in the tail section of the "Shakal".
With such a power plant, the Jackal cruise missile / BB will be able to reach speeds of up to 600 km/h. The combat radius is declared at 100 km, which is probably determined by the capabilities of the standard radio communications equipment. At the maximum distance from the launch point, the missile can patrol for up to 15 minutes, after which it should hit the target.
The product is equipped with an original control system developed in cooperation between Northrop Grumman and AeroVironment. It has a remote control mode with camera and sensor signals sent to the operator. The autopilot can also operate independently and fly along a pre-set route. It is noted that the system can guide the missile without using satellite navigation.
The developers offer several payload modules, made in the form of replaceable nose sections. This is a reconnaissance module with an optical-electronic station, a warhead, and an electronic warfare station of an unknown type. After a simple reconfiguration, the BB/missile can perform different tasks.
The Jackal is launched from a universal transport and launch container (TLC). This device has a rectangular cross-section and accommodates the BB with folded surfaces. Before launch, the TLC is placed in an inclined position and the side cover is opened. The rocket is then pushed out, starts its engine and begins its flight.
It is proposed to install such TPK and associated devices on various land platforms, helicopters or surface boats. Theoretically, the Jackal complex carriers can be unmanned or unmanned.
Advantages and disadvantages
The developer positions its Jackal product as something between cruise missiles and loitering munitions. The goal of this project is to combine the advantages of both types of weapons to create new combat capabilities. According to published data, this task was successfully accomplished.
The proposed munition is interesting for several reasons. First of all, it is its basic concept. Northrop Grumman has developed a product that combines the features of traditional BBs and cruise missiles. It is likely that a product with such a combination of characteristics and capabilities really does have a future.
The strengths of the Shakal project include a modular approach to payload. One air platform can carry reconnaissance equipment, combat equipment or jamming equipment. Installation and replacement of modules can be carried out both at the factory and in the military.
This allows for relatively simple and cheap organization of group raids using reconnaissance and strike BBs and false air targets. It is assumed that such an unmanned "squadron" will be able to overload the enemy's air defense and open the way for loitering munitions that carry out a strike.
Different options for placement and use of BB Jackal
However, the Jackal project also has some controversial features and obvious shortcomings. For example, the very idea of creating an AP with a combat radius of 100 km raises questions. Typically, such ammunition operates at a depth of tens of kilometers, and longer-range strikes are carried out using other fire weapons. Whether it makes sense to expand the AP's area of responsibility is a big question.
A significant drawback of the "Jackal" is its power plant. The turbojet engine provides high flight characteristics, but significantly increases the price of the product. In the case of a disposable BB for mass use, this issue becomes fundamentally important. A potential customer can evaluate the economic indicators of an unmanned system and refuse to purchase it.
Finally, Jackal in its current form does not seem to be too difficult a target for a modern Defense. Current models of radars can detect such air targets, single and in groups, and hit them with missiles or artilleryIt is unclear whether jamming devices will help in such a situation.
Original concept
Thus, the Northrop Grumman company, commissioned by the US Marine Corps, created a new concept for an unmanned aircraft aviation system and developed a loitering munition or missile based on it. It is claimed that the resulting model has high characteristics, can effectively solve various combat and auxiliary tasks and has a number of advantages over BB or missiles of traditional appearance.
However, the prospects of the Jackal project are still in question. Its development took several years, and its goals probably changed at certain stages. In addition, both the concept and the finished sample are not without flaws. Time will tell how the situation will develop and whether the new product will live up to the developers' hopes.
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