Lockheed snags $200M deal for advanced naval missiles

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Lockheed snags $200M deal for advanced naval missiles
By Richard Burnett, Orlando Sentinel
July 8, 2014

Lockheed Martin Corp.'s Orlando missiles group has reeled in a contract worth up to $200 million to fast-track its development of a new advanced naval combat missile, the company confirmed Monday.

Lockheed Martin Missiles & Fire Control landed the deal to develop new hardware for testing and deploying the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile, known as LRASM. The stealth missile would enable U.S. warships and aircraft to strike from stand-off range, outside potential enemy fire, officials said.

The contract — one of Lockheed Missiles' largest to date this year — was awarded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the Defense Department's high-tech contracting agency, which typically develops highly classified military technology.

"Working closely with our Navy, DARPA and Air Force customers will allow us to further demonstrate the missile's technologies and quickly field this much-needed capability," said Frank St. John, vice president for tactical missiles and combat maneuver systems, in a prepared statement.

The company's Orlando operation, located on Sand Lake Road in south Orlando, is its largest in Florida, with more than 4,400 employees. The Orlando unit will perform all program management and engineering work on the long-range naval missile. Final assembly and manufacturing will take place at its Troy, Ala., facility.
The company said it is too early to say whether the new deal will create any jobs at the Sand Lake Road operation.

Lockheed's latest contract was considered a milestone for the LRASM program, which began in 2009. Military and industry advocates say the new system would be a critical addition to U.S. naval forces, which may be otherwise vulnerable to advanced enemy weapons.

Plans call for the missile to be operational by 2018 on the Air Force B-1B bomber and by 2019 on the Navy's F/A-18 fighter jets. The initial production order would involve 100 missiles.

The award comes at a crucial time for Lockheed's Orlando missiles group, amid ongoing Pentagon deficit-reduction budget cuts of more than $30 billion this year alone.

DARPA awards Lockheed $200 million deal for anti-ship missiles - Orlando Sentinel

 

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Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM)

The Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) is an autonomous, precision-guided anti-ship stand-off missile. The LRASM is being developed by Lockheed Martin in collaboration with the US Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA) and Office of Naval Research (ONR).

The missile is developed based on JASSM-ER (Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile-Extended Range). The proposed LRASM is to be offered for the US Navy and the US Air Force war fighters.

The engineering design and development contract of the LRASM programme was awarded to Lockheed Martin. The first phase of the development was completed successfully and second phase is currently in progress.

Lockheed Martin, on behalf of DARPA, is preparing to conduct flight tests on the LRASM in 2013 and 2014. The LRASM is expected to enter into serial production in 2015.

Long Range Anti-Ship Missile development
The LRASM development programme was jointly initiated in 2008, by the DARPA and ONR, to penetrate more sophisticated air defence systems of enemies from long range.

The development programme is planned in two phases; the study and design phase (phase one), and the demonstration phase (phase two). The nine month first phase of the project includes the complete concept development, primary design, cost estimation and analytical support for the development. The 27-month second phase covers detailed design, critical design review (CDR), material procurement, fabrication, integration and testing.

DARPA/ONR selected three contractors for the LRASM development programme. Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control Strike Weapons located in Orland was selected for LRASM-A prototype demonstration. Lockheed Martin Missile and Fire Control Tactical Missiles, based in Grand Prairie, is responsible for LRASM-B prototype weapon system demonstration. BAE Systems, Information and Electronic Systems Integration, based in Nashua, was selected for the design and development of onboard sensor systems.

Lockheed Martin was also awarded two demonstration phasecontracts,totalling $218m, in January 2011. The first $60.3m contract received by the Lockheed Martin LRASM-A team involves the execution of two air-launched demonstrations, while the $157.7m second contract awarded to LRASM-B team includes four Vertical Launch System (VLS) demonstrations of LRASM for the US Navy.

Lockheed Martin conducted the first captive carry flight test of LRASM at various altitudes and speeds in July 2012. The flight test was conducted to find the LRASM's ability to detect, classify and recognise targets.

In March 2013, DARPA awarded a $71m modification contract to Lockheed Martin for conducting additional air-launched LRASM flight test from a B-1B Lancer. Under the contract, the company also provides risk reduction efforts to test the electromagnetic compatibility of the missile and follow-on captive carry sensor suite missions.

LRASM variants
The LRASM programme is initially focused on the development of two variants, the LRASM-A and LRASM-B. The LRASM-A was designed based on Joint Air to Surface Stand-off Missile Extended Range (JASSM-ER) airframe, and includes added sensors and systems. The LRASM-B was designed for high-altitude and supersonic speed over stealthy penetration. The LRASM-B development was, however, cancelled by DARPA in 2012.

Mark 41 Vertical Launch System compatibility
The LRASM is designed to be launched by Mark 41 Vertical Launch System aboard most of the US Navy vessels and fixed wing aircraft.

"Each division of Lockheed Martin was awarded a $9.7m study contract by DARPA."
It can be fired from outside direct counter-fire ranges with maximum possibility of target hit. The missile can fulfil warfighter needs for anti-surface warfare (ASuW) weapon capability.

The LRASM is designed to carry a 1,000lb penetrating blast fragmentation warhead.

The self-directed sensing, advanced signature control and dynamic response features allow the missile to approach targets, while defeating air defence systems.

Guidance and navigation of the LRASM
The LRASM is equipped with a multimodal radio-frequency sensor suite for detecting targets. It includes a weapon data link for better communication with operators, and an improved digital anti-jam global positioning system to discover and destruct multiple specific targets.

An electro-optical seeker installed in the missile provides positive object recognition and accurate targeting during the terminal phase of flight.

The on-board targeting systems installed on the LRASM help the missile autonomously obtain the target without the support of prior, precision intelligence, or other supporting services.

Key Data

• Type: Autonomous, precision-guided anti-ship stand-off missile
• Operators: US Navy and US Air Force
• Designer: Lockheed Martin
• Development Started:2009
• Maiden Flight Test: July 2012

Conceptual view of the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM).

An artist's impression depicting the vertical launch of the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM).

The Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) can be launched from the Mk 41 Vertical Launch System aboard most US Navy ships.

Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) - Naval Technology

 

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LRASM - A

LRASM - A

LRASM - B Concept

Further Details:
LRASM Missiles: Reaching for a Long-Range Punch

LRASM · Lockheed Martin