Lockheed Martin to develop Long Range Maneuverable Fires Missile for US Army

News, US April 1, 2023 , by IRIA No Comments

United States defense manufacturer Lockheed Martin is developing an advanced propulsion Long Range Maneuverable Fires (LRMF) missile for the U.S. Army.

The company was selected by the U.S. Army’s Aviation and Missile Center to develop the LRMF missile that can be fired from existing Army launchers to counter distant threats at significant ranges, exceeding those of the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) baseline, the company said in a statement.

Vice president of Advanced Programs Execution and Transition at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Steven Botwinik said, “Lockheed Martin is partnering with the U.S. Army to give soldiers a decisive edge on the battlefield by extending their reach.”

Botwinik further added that “With half a century of expertise integrating advanced propulsion systems and supporting the Army’s precision fires ecosystem, we are ready to develop a solution that significantly extends PrSM’s range.”

According to the Lockheed Martin statement, Phase 1 of the development process focuses on design and risk-reduction activities, with optional follow-on phases leading to flight test demonstration.

“Following flight tests, LRMF will transition to the U.S. Army’s Strategic and Operational Rockets and Missiles (STORM) project office to inform the design of an extended-range Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) Increment (Inc.) 4,” the statement added.

Extended-Range Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (ER GMLRS) is expected to double the current munition while maintaining proven precision — *^{Extended-Range Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (ER GMLRS). (Image Credit: Lockheed Martin)}*

Lockheed Martin highlighted in a statement that in order to reach a significantly extended range with launcher volume constraints, the company will “employ unique design elements and key technologies to address size and endurance challenges”.

The U.S. defense contractor, Lockheed Martin, is also developing hypersonic weapons to meet the increasing demand of the U.S. Department of Defense.

In February 2023, the U.S. Navy also awarded a $1.2 billion contract to Lockheed Martin for delivering the first sea-based hypersonic missiles to be integrated into the U.S. Navy’s Zumwalt-class destroyers. The U.S. defense firm is expected to deliver the hypersonic boost-glide weapon system to the U.S. Navy that would enable long-range missile flight at speeds greater than Mach 5.