OREANDA-NEWS. September 08, 2015. U.S. Army and U.S. Navy awarded Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) a \\$66.3 million contract for the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase of the Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) program.

“Since contract award in August, we conducted a fifth flight test that further demonstrated the high degree of design maturity and readiness for operational testing that will support future JAGM production,” said U.S. Army Project Manager Col. James Romero. “The Aug. 25 test was the first JAGM test using the Active Fire and Forget, Lock-On After Launch engagement mode against a stationary armored target. Throughout all five tests, we have demonstrated that both sensors - onboard radar and semi-active laser - effectively operate together to provide an enhanced capability against stationary and moving targets for precision point or fire-and-forget targeting.”  

The 24-month EMD phase will include JAGM production, test qualification and integration on the AH-64 Apache and AH-1Z Cobra attack helicopters. The EMD phase also establishes an initial low-rate manufacturing capability in support of two follow-on low-rate initial production options.  

“The EMD contract validates the merits of our mature, modular and proven JAGM design,” said Frank St. John, vice president of tactical missiles and combat maneuver systems at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “We will continue to work closely with the Army and Navy as we move through the EMD phase and into low-rate initial production, ensuring we meet Initial Operational Capability in 2018 on budget and on schedule.”

Prior to EMD contract award, Lockheed Martin completed the Army’s Continued Technology Development (CTD) phase, which included design, test and demonstration of the JAGM guidance section. During CTD flight testing, Lockheed Martin’s JAGM achieved 100 percent mission success.

JAGM is the next generation air-to-ground missile for use on joint rotary-wing and unmanned aircraft systems for the Army, Navy and Marine Corps. JAGM’s multi-mode seeker provides the warfighter with precision strike and fire-and-forget capabilities against moving targets in all weather conditions. JAGM will be manufactured on existing production lines.

For additional information, visit our website: www.lockheedmartin.com/JAGM.

About Lockheed Martin

Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 112,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation’s net sales for 2014 were \\$45.6 billion.