Lockheed Martin’s multi-mode joint air-to-ground missile (JAGM) has successfully engaged two laser-designated stationary targets during government-led flight tests at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, US.
During the first test, the missile flew four kilometres, engaged its precision-strike, semi-active laser and struck the stationary target.
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The second flight saw the missile travel four kilometres before acquiring the target using its precision strike, semi-active laser, while simultaneously tracking it with its millimetre wave radar, and eventually hit the stationary target.
Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control Tactical Missiles and Combat Manoeuvre Systems vice-president Frank John said: "These flight tests demonstrate the maturity of Lockheed Martin’s JAGM design and prove our risk-mitigation success and readiness for production.
"Our innovative, affordable JAGM solution will provide operational flexibility and combat effectiveness, keeping the warfighter ahead of the threat."
The risk-reduction flight tests are critical to the company’s performance in the US Army’s continued technology development programme, which aims to offer enhanced accuracy and increased survivability to soldiers against stationary and moving targets in all weather conditions.
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By GlobalDataHaving already submitted its JAGM engineering and manufacturing development and low-rate initial production proposal to the army, Lockheed expects to receive the contract later this year.
Expected to be manufactured on the existing Hellfire production line, the JAGM is designed to engage moving and stationary armour, air-defence units, patrol craft, artillery, transporter erector / launchers, radar sites, and command and control nodes, as well as bunkers and other structures in urban and complex terrain.
Primarily intended for the army’s AH-64 Apache attack helicopter and MQ-1C Gray Eagle unmanned aerial system, the JAGM is also compatible with other Hellfire platforms.
Capable of operating in the presence of adverse weather, battlefield obscurants and advanced countermeasures, the JAGM is scheduled to replace three legacy army missiles, including the BGM-71 TOW, AGM-114 Hellfire, and AGM-65 Maverick.
