Lockheed Martin recently completed a series of successful tests verifying the maturity of the multi-purpose warhead for the Joint Common Missile (JCM).

"The warhead tests, which began with howitzer fuze tests in 2003, are an extremely critical part of the JCM development program," said Steve Barnoske, JCM program director at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "During procurement, the multi-purpose warhead was identified by our customer as the highest-risk element. These test successes show that risk has been significantly reduced and that the advanced-capability JCM will be ready for fielding in line with the established schedule."

The recent tests included verification of the ability of the tandem-shaped charge to penetrate advanced armor, as well as the warhead's blast fragmentation capability to defeat "soft" targets, such as ships, buildings, light armored vehicles and personnel. General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics, supplies the JCM warhead.

"Testing showed the capability of JCM to defeat explosive reactive armor (ERA) at worst-case engagement angles, and main charge unitary testing and tandem testing showed its capability to penetrate the most advanced hull armor," said Barnoske. "The arena tests collected fragmentation and other data that conclusively proved that JCM meets all lethality criteria and will incapacitate any threat against which it is directed."

Earlier tests confirmed the ability of the main warhead to penetrate a brick-over-brick tactical target, as well as the durability and timing of the time-delay fuze that detonates the main warhead inside the target, ensuring target destruction and reducing the risk of collateral damage. The JCM fuze is developed by PerkinElmer Optoelectronics, located in Miamisburg, OH. In December 2004, Lockheed Martin successfully demonstrated the multi-target warhead and fuze in a series of warhead penetration tests at the Redstone Technical Test Center, AL, that confirmed the missile's ability to penetrate and destroy military operations in urban terrain (MOUT) targets.

The Joint Common Missile is the next-generation, multi-purpose, air-to- ground precision missile that will replace the Hellfire, Longbow and Maverick air-to-ground missiles currently in the arsenal of the U.S. Army and Navy.

Headquartered in Bethesda, MD, Lockheed Martin employs about 130,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2004 sales of $35.5 billion.

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SOURCE: Lockheed Martin