TRAP is a multi-purpose gun-launched projectile. The TRAP configuration incorporates a radar reflective lens into a projectile carrier with the same mass and aerodynamic characteristics as standard practice projectiles. This expandable, gun-launched radar target emulates the radar cross section, speed and flight path of modern aerial threats. 

     TRAP cartridges are available in a wide range of calibers and can be fired from standard gun systems or 155mm howitzers.  These are sold as inexpensive training devices, but they should prove valuable in revealing and exhausting radar-guided anti-aircraft systems.  Inexpensive TRAP rounds should cause missile and gun batteries to waste projectiles while revealing their locations to counter-battery radar.

      Ship guns could fire TRAP rounds to confuse incoming missiles.  Companies like Wallop Defence sell 57mm and 102mm low-velocity rounds (left) to be fired from chaff dispensers.  It should be easy to develop a 127mm round to be fired from 5-inch guns.  Unlike chaff dispensers, guns could fire a mixture of chaff and anti-aircraft rounds directly at incoming missiles. Both TRAP and Chaff rounds can provide gunners with a greater range of capabilities at little cost.

Carlton Meyer  editorG2mil@Gmail.com

©2004 www.G2mil.com

Letters

Gun Launched Decoys

If the projectile had snap-out wings it would increase the range considerably. A simple vibrating rod gyro activated by setback would give it course-maintaining capabilities. Since the old VT prox fuses were much more complicated than solid state electronics some off-the-shelf components could give the thing a programmed flight path.  I wrote a friend of mine - a defense advisor in a friendly country - that decoys could be used to exhaust the supply of air defense missiles such as the S300 series.

Decoys cunningly designed and programmed mixed with real attacks (cruise missiles or aircraft) could drive a defense commander crazy.

                                                                                               Walt BJ

Ed:  The Army and Marines would find them very valuable to test areas for air defense responses before slow moving helicopters arrive.