US Navy test-fires Raytheon’s Griffin Missiles from PC vessels

The US Navy has test-fired fired Raytheon’s Griffin B surface-launched, laser-guided precision missiles aboard Navy patrol coastal (PC) ships off the Persian Gulf.

As part of the research, Navy configured four of its vessels including the USS Typhoon, USS Firebolt, USS Sirocco and USS Whirlwind with the Griffin, which were able to strike targets at ranges of up to 4km.

The Navy’s 5th Fleet spokesman lieutenant Joe Hontz was cited by the DefenceTech as saying that the strategy of upgrading the PC’s with the Griffin missile system was to give the ships a more robust capability to defend against multiple surface threats.

"The Griffin missile system enhances the PC’s self-defense capabilities overall," Hontz adds.

In a bid to boost protection with a new layer of defensive technology to PCs, the navy is also planning to equip ten PCs with Griffins by next year.

Raytheon Griffin program director Steve Dickman said this is the first time navy has been able to extend their defence beyond gun range, now they’ve pushed that defensive capability out to four and half kilometres.

"Once you’ve identified the threat you can start engaging them sooner," he added.

Incorporating a dual-mode navigational technology using semi-active laser technology and a GPS-aided Inertial Navigation System, the Griffin offers ranges farther than guns on-board PC boats.

The installation of Griffin missiles on-board PCs, which started in 2013, was mainly aimed at strengthening the navy’s counter-terrorism and counter-piracy mission potential while boosting their ability to defend commercial shipping.

Raytheon is also working on a new SeaGriffin variant, which uses an extended range rocket motor and a dual-mode seeker and will be able to hit targets at 15km range by tracking multiple threats using the data-link.