Article Posted on : - Jun 08, 2011

Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM).

ORLANDO (BNS): Lockheed Martin has successfully tested the Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) tri-mode seeker against moving sea targets in captive flight tests at the Gulf of Mexico, off the shore of Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.

The tests occurred, against multiple maritime targets, including a Revenge Advanced Composites (RAC) state-of-the-art, low-signature, high-speed patrol craft.

The RAC performed a series of evasive maneuvers against Lockheed Martin’s JAGM tri-mode seeker, mounted in the nose section of a Sabreliner Series 60 jet aircraft.

“There are many variables in tracking a target at sea, especially a moving target. Lockheed Martin’s JAGM has clearly proven it fills all eight critical capability gaps identified and revalidated twice in the Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS) process,” Frank St. John, vice president of Tactical Missiles at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, said.

The tests highlighted the robustness of the seeker on fixed-wing aircraft, as well as its performance against one of the most challenging targets in JAGM’s target set. The tests also validated superior seeker performance in the demanding, high-humidity environment associated with contingency operations in the world’s littorals.

Speeds during the test approached 400 knots at 20,000 foot altitude.

JAGM is the next-generation air-to-surface guided missile that is being competed as the replacement for the currently fielded Airborne TOW, Maverick and HELLFIRE missiles for the US Army, Navy and Marine Corps.