Raytheon Company,
TUCSON: A Non Line-of-Sight-Launch System (NLOS-LS) Precision Attack Missile was successfully launched May 15 at White Sands Missile Range, N.M., taking the missile system a step closer toward providing the warfighter a much-needed precision weapon system.
The missile was launched by NetFires LLC, a joint venture between Raytheon Company's Missile Systems business and Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control.
The control test vehicle flight test launched from a tactical NLOS-LS Container Launch Unit sets the stage for further all up round testing of NLOS- LS in 2008.
“This successful test validates the design and brings a critical solution to a known capability gap for the joint forces,” said Col. Doug Dever, U.S. Army's NLOS-LS project manager. “This test is an example of the exceptional cooperation of the Raytheon and Lockheed Martin technical workforce. The Army and Navy are very appreciative of these men and women who have dedicated long hours to ensure this critical flight test was a success.”
The test met or exceeded all test parameters. The missile safely exited from a tactical NLOS-LS Container Launch Unit, deployed the missile wings and fins, and transitioned to stable flight. Additionally, the Precision Attack Missile demonstrated all guidance commands and achieved the desired acceleration within the maximum and minimum boundaries, matching the integrated flight simulation predictions.
Airframe dynamic response and airframe drag data were collected during missile flight, as well as performance data on the wings and fins, Non Line- of-Sight navigation system, rocket motor, control actuator system, thrust vector control, electronic safe arm device, air data sensor, thermal battery and telemeter.
“This control flight test, combined with the highly successful Future Combat Systems field and simulated exercises conducted by the Army Evaluation Task Force at Fort Bliss, Texas, shows that the NLOS-LS system fills the much- needed capability gap for precision engagement of moving and stationary targets in open and complex terrain,” said Col. Gary Kinne, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command capability manager for Rocket and Missile Systems.
“This test flight is another example of the demonstrated technical maturity of the NLOS-LS Precision Attack Missile,” said Scott Speet, executive vice president of the NetFires LLC and Raytheon's Non Line-of-Sight-Launch System program director.
Raytheon Company, with 2007 sales of $21.3 billion, is a technology leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 72,000 people worldwide.
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. The Corporation reported 2007sales of $41.9 billion.
Background Information
NLOS-LS is one of 14 Future Combat Systems' core systems. It will operate as a part of the FCS systems-of-systems to meet the requirements of the Army's future brigade combat teams and provide increased capability for the current force's modular brigade combat teams. It is also one of the key littoral combat ship mission modules.
Compared to systems with equivalent firepower (kills per combat load), NLOS-LS provides a modular, highly deployable and flexible precision fires capability to the U.S. Army, Navy and joint maneuver forces for a very low life-cycle system cost.
