Lockheed Martin,
DALLAS: Two tests of Lockheed Martin's Compact Kinetic Energy Missile (CKEM) were successfully conducted at Aerojet Corporation and ATK Tactical Systems Company. These tests marked major milestones in the CKEM Advanced Technology Demonstration (ATD) program. All test objectives were achieved.
The Attitude Control Motor (ACM) tests, conducted at Aerojet Corporation, demonstrated CKEM's ballistic performance during cold, hot and ambient temperatures. Verification of the ACM's reliability and structural integrity were also demonstrated during this series of tests on 24 flightweight test units. The flightweight tests were the last in a series of design verification tests.
A ballistic performance test of the second pulse of a CKEM dual pulse rocket motor was successfully completed at ATK Tactical Systems Company. The primary test objectives of this test included demonstrating second-pulse motor operation and comparing measured motor performance data with pre-test predictions.
“Reaching these milestones brings Lockheed Martin one step closer towards providing the Warfighter a next-generation, extended range kill capability that currently does not exist in the field,” said Rick Edwards, vice president – Tactical Missiles at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “We look forward to successfully integrating the ACM Assembly into the missile and, subsequently, entering the System Design and Development (SDD) phase of the program.”
The CKEM is the next generation kinetic-energy anti-tank missile. It is less than 60 inches long and weighs less than 100 pounds. It will have an extended range for direct fire, line-of-sight engagements and will provide the Infantry Brigade Combat Teams, STRYKER Brigades and Future Combat System platforms overwhelming lethality overmatch against all potential target sets.
Lockheed Martin received a $78 million contract to begin ATD of the CKEM in 2003. Successful completion of sled tests and ATD work will ensure the missile is ready to enter the SDD phase of development in the fall of 2006. Work on the contract will be performed at the company's facilities in Dallas and El Paso, TX, and Camden, AR.
