JCM Tri-mode Seeker Demonstrated in Littoral Environment

Released on Wednesday, January 19, 2005

Lockheed-Martin has announced a further maturation of its Joint Common Missile (JCM) tri-mode seeker with the successful acquisition and track of a tactical littoral target in a test series during December 2004 conducted at Eglin Air Force Base, Ft. Walton Beach, Florida.

The tests involved 125 runs in the Gulf of Mexico and showed how the JCM tri-mode seeker successfully acquired and tracked a Boghammar vessel moving at up to 30 knots at ranges of 1 to 6 kilometers. The Boghammar of Sweden is a coastal patrol boat representative of a typical, most likely threat present in the littoral environment. The tests were performed at levels 1 and 3, reflecting calm and rough seas.

The test also demonstrated simultaneous detection and processing by two of the missile's three sensors: the imaging infrared (I2R) and the millimeter wave (MMW) radar. Both sensors are integrated with the JCM's inertial tracking capability. Target profiles included crossing, diagonal, inbound, outbound, rectangular racetrack, "turntable," orbiting in small circles and evasive maneuvers.

The third sensor, the semi-active laser, is used to provide JCM with precision kill capability. The multi-purpose warhead, set to the blast fragmentation mode, would have enabled the missile to destroy the littoral target in a tactical situation. This represents the second successful test of JCM seeker in the littoral scenario, the first one occurred in the fall of 2003 in parallel with a mock of Marine Corps invasion near Eglin AFB.

The JCM is being developed to replace current AGM-114 Hellfire, Longbow Hellfire, Maverick and airborne TOW missiles which have been used extensively in modern conflicts. Cutting-edge technology and advanced engineering solutions will bring to JCM improved capabilities compared with those missiles it is expected to supersede at affordable costs. JCM will be used primarily aboard rotary wing aircraft. The F-18 is expected to be the sole fixed-wing aircraft application of such a weapon replacing Maverick.