JCM

Description: The Joint Common Missile (JCM) is a multi-purpose, multi-service, multi-platform missile designed to engage stationary, re-locatable, and moving targets ranging from buildings to advanced armored vehicles. A tri-mode seeker, multipurpose warhead, and an advanced rocket propulsion system provided by Aerojet, a Gencorp company, are key elements of the JCM program.

The JCM missile will replace eventually current Hellfire and Maverick missiles in the US Army, USMC and US Navy inventories. JCMs will be launched from both fixed and rotary wing aircraft with a maximum range of 27 and 16 km respectively.

Lockheed-Martin proposal was selected for the JCM program through a $53 million contract to commence work on the System Development and Demonstration (SDD) phase on May 5, 2004.

In 2004 the United Kingdom expressed interests in co-developing and producing the JCM missile. Export orders from Hellfire/Maverick customers and other allied nations might add thousands of JCMs to be produced to the 54,000 expected to be procured by the US Armed Forces.

In early 2005, Lockheed-Martin announced that the JCM tri-mode seeker was tested during December 2004 at Eglin Air Force Base, Ft. Walton Beach, Florida. The seeker demonstrated its ability to acquired and track a moving Swedish Boghammar coastal patrol boat at up to 30 knots, at ranges of 1 to 6 kilometers, and at sea levels 1 and 3, calm and rough seas respectively. The aim of this test series was to demonstrate JCM feasibility in the littoral environment.

In May 2005, Lockheed-Martin successfully tested the JCM rocket propulsion system paving the way for controlled flight tests. During the tests, the JCM motor case maintained its structural integrity 65 percent beyond required stress levels. The tests were conducted at Aerojet facility in Sacramento, California.

Specifications
Dimensions: Diameter 7 in, Length 69.90 in, Wingspan 12.80 in

Weights: Weight 108 lb (49.0 kg)

Performance: Max Range 28,000 m (91,864 ft), Min Range 16,000 m (52,493 ft)