Industry Team to Develop 5-in Extended Range Munition Derived from 155mm LRLAP

Released on Wednesday, July 02, 2008

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota � BAE Systems and Lockheed Martin are teaming to develop long-range guided munitions for the U.S. Navy. The new 5-inch, precision-guided Extended Range Munition (ERM) will address the current void in affordable and reliable long-range naval surface fire support.

The 5-inch ERM builds on BAE Systems/Lockheed Martin's success with the Navy's 155-mm Long-Range Land Attack Projectile (LRLAP) program. The LRLAP has the capability to precisely engage targets at ranges in excess of 72 nautical miles, delivering lethal force in support of military operations ashore with minimal collateral damage. Much of the proven technology used with the LRLAP program is being applied to the 5-inch ERM program.

"This is a strong team that has already demonstrated the ability to produce precision munitions capable of achieving unprecedented range and accuracy requirements enabling extended range fire support from today's surface combatant fleet," said Dennis Morris, president of BAE Systems' Armament Systems.

"Our combined experience on artillery systems and precision munitions creates the best possible team to bring the warfighters a reliable and affordable solution for long-range naval surface fire support," said Rick Edwards, vice president of Tactical Missiles/Combat Maneuver Systems for Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control.

The 5-inch ERM is a further expansion of BAE Systems' growing precision guided munitions portfolio, which also includes the Mk 295 57-mm munition used with the Mk 110 Naval Gun System.