RATTLRS Flight Demonstration Program

The Revolutionary Approach To Timecritical Long Range Strike (RATTLRS) Program is an ONR-led science and technology program conducted in collaboration with DARPA, the Air Force and NASA. Started in 2004 as part of the Department of Defense’s National Aerospace Initiative (NAI) development plan, the RATTLRS Flight Demonstration Program will develop and demonstrate, in flight, advanced technologies for a high-speed turbine engine-powered expendable flight vehicle. Key technical challenges for RATTLRS include the high Mach turbine engine and the aero-propulsion integration for a configuration that is traceable to a tactical weapon.

An overall goal of the RATTLRS Flight Demonstration Program is to demonstrate supersonic speeds exceeding Mach 3. Ground testing is being conducted to validate the turbine engine propulsion system followed by integrated engine/airframe ground testing. The RATTLRS sled-test effort successfully demonstrated, in 2006, both subsonic and supersonic area-effect munitions dispense as well as supersonic impact of an inert 500 lb penetrating warhead. The Program will culminate in flight tests of the integrated flight vehicles.

The supersonic cruise speed and high cruise altitude for a RATTLRS-derived high-speed weapon could make it less vulnerable to defensive systems relative to operational weapons. In addition, the use of a turbine engine propulsion system and the resulting long range and high survivability offers significant improvements in mission flexibility to the warfighter over other approaches. An operational RATTLRS-derived tactical weapon system will also provide launch compatibility with ships, submarines and tactical and strategic aircraft.