Although the 8-inch gun with ballistic projectiles will be effective in area bombardment, a higher level of accuracy is needed against moving and hard targets. Therefore, we are looking at laser guided projectiles.

Semiactive laser guided projectiles will be used for these targets. These projectiles will have accuracy of [deleted]. Here is a picture showing one in flight with its change in altitude as it moves along. In the latest design, only the fins extend. A lightweight version will be produced for use by the Marine Corps. This and the parallel 5-inch guided projectile development are joint Army/Navy programs.

In this case, the Army has the lead and in the joint project office. The Seafire electro-optical fire control system will provide laser illumination of the target for direct fire. Third party illumination will be required for indirect fire.

Senator MCINTYRE. On those laser guided projectiles, will they be for our FFG's, our 963's, for our destroyers? If they are successful would they be put on these ships?

Admiral ARMSTRONG. Any ship that has a 5-inch or 8-inch gun will have the 5- or 8-inch guided projectile.

Senator MCINTYRE. How will they be fired, from tubes?

Admiral ARMSTRONG. They will be fired from the gun mount, the single barrel gun mount that you saw.

Senator MCINTYRE. I see missiles on these ships with these blocks and the missile comes up from the bottom like a canister.

ASROC SYSTEM

Admiral ARMSTRONG. Those are the standard missiles or ASROC system.

Senator MCINTYRE. These would be fired from a gun?

Admiral ARMSTRONG. From a normal

Senator MCINTYRE. How long is that laser projectile?

Admiral ARMSTRONG. The 5-inch laser projectile is 61 inches long, weighs 105 pounds and carriers a [deleted] pound shaped charge. The 8 inch is 66 inches long, a little over 5 feet, weighs 250 pounds, and has a [deleted] pound warhead.

Senator MCINTYRE. Fired out of a 5-inch gun?

Admiral ARMSTRONG. Yes, sir.

Senator MCINTYRE. Also, would it fire artillery rounds?
Admiral ARMSTRONG. Yes, sir.

Senator MCINTYRE. An explosive?
Admiral ARMSTRONG. Yes, sir.

In the near term we will have the AV-8A Harrier, which currently provides tactical air support for the Marine forces ashore. There is no R. & D. here, but it was mentioned in order to highlight the next step forward.

Senator ANDERSON. What did you just say?

Admiral ARMSTRONG. I said this is the AV-8A Harrier aircraft which the Marines are currently using. There is no R. & D. in it, but I will be discussing in the midterm time frame the AV-8B which is a followon to it, sir.

Senator ANDERSON. Thank you.

Senator BARTLETT. Isn't there a desire by the Marines and perhaps some Members of Congress to make a tradeout so there would be an AV-8B program going this fiscal year?

AV-8B R. & D. PROGRAM

Admiral ARMSTRONG. We have a $78 million AV-8B R. & D. program in 1979. We have a 1978 program, sir. There is no plan to trade it off.

Senator BARTLETT. I wasn't talking about R. & D. but I was going to refer to R. & D. If there is an AV-8B program, is there a need for R. & D.? I thought you just said there wasn't any R. & D. I thought later you said there is R. & D. I wish you would start over.

Admiral ARMSTRONG. The AV-8A program, which currently exists, has no R. & D. dollars in it. AV-8B, a plane which provides greater thrust, a greater payload, better navigation, and a longer range capability, is in the research and development program.

Senator BARTLETT. How much money is in for that?
Admiral ARMSTRONG. In fiscal year 1979, $80 million.
Senator BARTLETT. Thank you.

Senator MCINTYRE. Are we procuring 8A's now?

General FITCH. No, sir. The last procurement was in 1974.

Senator MCINTYRE. You have got all the AV-8A's you are going to have?

General FITCH. We procured 8 of the two-place aircraft and 102 of the single place aircraft.

Senator MCINTYRE. Do you still like them?

General FITCH. Yes, sir, very much.

Admiral ARMSTRONG. In the mid-term, under amphibious warfare. we have the LCAC, which I indicated was the follow-on production model of the AALC. This air cushion vehicle's ultimate design will depend upon results of prototype testing. We expect payload or range tradeoffs will be necessary before we reach the ultimate design. The important part is its capabilities will permit ships to stand far offshore, [deleted]. It will also provide greater flexibility in the choice of landing sites, since it can approach more rugged beaches than we now can with the World War II landing craft.

The AV-8B, which we discussed just a little bit ago, is shown here in order to complete the amphibious warfare picture. It will have twice the range or payload of AV-8A, will operate from forward areas in support of the Marine forces ashore, and can land or launch from a variety of ship platforms or short landing strips. Specifically, in a V/STOL mode this aircraft can go 50 miles with a 3,000 pound payload, or in the STOL mode 150 nautical miles with an 8,000 pound payload.

Senator MCINTYRE. This is an area where the Marines would like to go faster?

General FITCH. Yes, sir. The Commandant has already testified he was very disappointed in the fact the funds were cut in 1979, approxi mately an $88 million cut, and it does slow the program down with the present funding.

Senator BARTLETT. I think General Wilson testified, did he not, that he would like to see transferred funds from A-4M, cancel that program and transfer that to the AV-8B program?

General FITCH. That is correct, Senator. He did suggest in his testimony that that was a possible source of funding.

Senator BARTLETT. Then I think this would also reinstate the reduction in the R. & D. funds.

General FITCH. Yes, sir, it would provide for the reinstatement of the reduction, which was approximately $88 million, that was reduced. and it would also provide for keeping the force level of AV-8A's up until the B is introduced.

Senator BARTLETT. Senator Nunn and I saw the AV-8A's operating on the Roosevelt in the Mediterranean.

General FITCH. Yes; sir.

Senator BARTLETT. It was very impressive and I understand the B version is much better and would be certainly fitting the Marine Corps role right to a tee.

General FITCH. That is very true, Senator. The AV-8B is going to be twice as impressive as the AV-8A was.