ORLANDO, Fla., July 21, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed
Martin (NYSE: LMT) recently conducted a successful controlled
flight test of the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM)
surface-launch variant from the Self Defense Test Ship at Pt. Mugu
Sea Range, California.
This was the third successful surface-launched LRASM test,
proving the missile's ability to load mission data using the
modified Tactical Tomahawk Weapon Control System (TTWCS+), align
mission data with the moving ship and launch from the MK 41
Vertical Launch System (VLS). During the test, LRASM exited the VLS
launcher, cleanly separated from its Mk-114 booster and
transitioned to the cruise phase. The missile successfully flew a
pre-planned low-altitude profile collecting aerodynamics agility
data while enroute to its pre-determined endpoint.
"This successful flight test demonstrates Lockheed Martin's
readiness to answer the U.S. Navy's need for new anti-surface
warfare capabilities as part of the 'distributed lethality'
concept," said Scott Callaway, LRASM
Surface-Launch director at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire
Control. "This LRASM flight test from a U.S. Navy surface ship VLS
highlights the successful collaboration between Lockheed Martin and
the U.S. Navy."
To support this test, Lockheed Martin invested internal funds to
provide an operational LRASM and to refurbish the Navy's Self
Defense Test Ship MK 41 VLS. This demonstration from a moving ship
in a dynamic at-sea environment was a critical step in proving the
maturity of the surface-launch variant. LRASM was also tested
successfully from a ground-based MK 41 VLS "Desert Ship" in 2013
and 2014. Integrating LRASM with the VLS will provide every Aegis
destroyer and cruiser with a long-range, survivable anti-surface
warfare distributed lethality capability.
The surface-launch LRASM variant was built on the same
production line as JASSM, JASSM-ER and LRASM air-launch weapons,
and delivers the same long-range, precision capability. With
maturity of the MK 41 VLS integration demonstrated, Lockheed Martin
will continue testing on other surface ship applications, including
topside, deck-mounted launchers.
LRASM is a precision-guided anti-ship missile that leverages the
successful JASSM-ER heritage, and is designed to meet the needs of
U.S. Navy and Air Force warfighters in a robust
anti-access/area-denial threat environment. The air-launched
variant provides an early operational capability for the Navy's
offensive anti-surface warfare Increment I requirement to be
integrated onboard the U.S. Air Force's B-1B in 2018 and on the
U.S. Navy's F/A-18E/F Super Hornet in 2019.
For additional information, visit our website:
www.lockheedmartin.com.
About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda,
Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace
company that employs approximately 125,000 people worldwide and is
principally engaged in the research, design, development,
manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology
systems, products and services.
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SOURCE Lockheed Martin