Lockheed Martin, DALLAS, TX.: Lockheed Martin successfully conducted the second flight test of its P44 long-range strike missiles Friday at White Sands Missile Range, NM. This Control Test Vehicle (CTV) flight builds on a successful Ballistic Test Vehicle (BTV) flight in February, and validates the functionality of the control actuation system and GPS-aided inertial guidance mode for P44.
The P44 CTV missile achieved all test objectives, demonstrating both boost and sustain operations, stability in cruise mode and GPS guidance mode.
“This successful CTV test builds on our earlier ground and flight tests, confirming that we can reliably move forward to long range and multi-mode seeker flights,” said Glenn Kuller, Tactical Missiles Advanced Programs director at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “P44 offers mission growth opportunities for all MLRS users to hold fleeting targets at risk, and will give future battlefield commanders yet another highly effective tool to help them accomplish their missions.”
This P44 missile was launched from a surrogate High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launcher. The missile maintained stability during boost and sustain flight phases using a fin-control actuation system. It transitioned from boost to cruise, established a GPS fix and executed maneuvers to steer to the aim point.
“The airframe, guidance and rocket motor performance of this flight validated our P44 simulations. We anticipate that P44 will be effective at more than 70 kilometers, with margin for growth. It's affordable, low-risk and, as with all MLRS munitions, very dependable. P44 is a ready answer to shoot-and-scoot threats,” Kuller said.
The P44 BTV was successfully flown at the White Sands Missile Range on February 15, 2007. Both missiles were launched from a HIMARS launcher, demonstrating designed-in compatibility with deployed force structure.
A company-funded effort, P44 is envisioned to provide adverse weather attack of moving targets at range. This lethality gap was identified when the Loitering Attack Missile (LAM) was unfunded. At 7 inches in diameter and weighing 220 pounds, P44 has an effective range from zero to more than 70 kilometers. It maximizes interoperability and can be launched from two combat proven platforms: MLRS and HIMARS.
With wings and fins folded, 10 P44s can be packaged into MLRS rocket pods with considerable margins for growth. The four-mode P44 has Global Positioning System-aided inertial guidance; carries a mature tri-mode terminal seeker with semi-active laser (SAL) for designated targets; Doppler millimeter-wave radar (MMW) for weather penetration and detection of moving targets; and cooled imaging infrared (IIR) for imaging and discrimination. The projected warheads for P44 are either a 28-pound Hellfire II Metal Augmented Charge (MAC) or a 17-pound shaped charge with precursor.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.
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