Lockheed Martin has successfully completed a wide-ranging series of tests on the multi-mode seeker for its Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) system. JAGM will provide a precision, adverse weather, low-collateral-damage weapon to rotary- and fixed-wing pilots, as well as the unmanned aerial system community.

Currently in the technology development phase, JAGM's tri-mode seeker includes imaging infrared, semi-active laser and millimeter wave radar sensors for precision-strike targeting.

"We've successfully demonstrated all of the sensor modes simultaneously and are very pleased with what we're seeing," said Rick Edwards, vice president for Tactical Missiles and Combat Maneuver Systems at Lockheed Martin. "Having fully functional seeker hardware this early in the program allows us to validate our software integration and test procedures. We are moving forward to deliver an unrivaled capability that will meet our Warfighters' needs."

Lockheed Martin has built several tri-mode seekers for tower, captive flight and missile flight testing. Upcoming captive-carry testing will verify performance in a flight environment. Additional testing in thermal and vibration performance, and electromagnetic interference effects will also take place this year.

Program officials also recently held Kaizen events, or Structured Improvement Activity (SIA), at Lockheed Martin's seeker and electronics production facilities in Ocala, FL, and Troy, AL.

"The SIA's were very successful and we have made significant progress in maturing our JAGM production manufacturing process. The recent tests and Kaizen events demonstrate the maturity of the tri-mode seeker, which is the heart of the JAGM weapon system," Edwards said. "Seeker maturity is the key to controlling program risk and ensuring an affordable, producible and supportable product."

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that 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 2009 sales of $45.2 billion.

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SOURCE: Lockheed Martin