LOCKHEED MARTIN SUCCESSFUL IN ADDITIONAL DUAL MODE
GUIDED BOMB TESTS FOR U.S. NAVY
ARCHBALD, PA, June 8, 2005
Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] successfully completed
additional flight tests of its Dual Mode Guided Bomb (DMGB)
at the U.S. Navy’s China Lake test range recently. The
weapons were released from Navy aircraft and maneuvered
through controlled flight and target impact as planned,
achieving mission success.
“Lockheed Martin continues to demonstrate superb
performance with its Dual Mode Guided Bomb, designed to
provide the warfighter the versatility of selecting the
ideal guidance mode for specific targets without multiple
weapons in inventory,” said Cynthia Sailar, vice president
and general manager at Lockheed Martin in Archbald, PA.
Lockheed Martin’s DMGB provides the warfighter great
versatility in mission planning without having to change
weapons. When using dual-mode guidance, Global Positioning
System/Inertial Navigation System (GPS/INS) data are used to
bring the weapon close to the target, with laser guidance
used in the terminal phase for improved end-game
performance. GPS/INS guidance allows for a much greater
launch envelope than would be possible for a weapon guided
by laser only, providing greater versatility in mission
planning, as well as enabling the weapon to be used when
weather aloft obscures the target. In addition to dual-mode
guidance, the DMGB can be used with laser-only or
GPS/INS-only guidance only, providing capabilities
duplicating either the existing Paveway II laser-guided
bombs or GPS/INS guided weapons, such as the Joint Direct
Attack Munition (JDAM).
Laser-guided operation requires the weapon to have line
of sight to the target until the target is impacted. During
non-visual operation, using solely GPS/INS guidance, the
pilot releases the weapon within the launch acceptable
region and the DMGB guides itself to the target
independently in a “launch-and-leave” mode. This mode is
highly accurate enabling precision guidance during adverse
weather, clouds, fog and smoke.
Recent tests presented challenging system performance
scenarios, exercising multiple modes and varied positions
within the LAR (launch acceptable region). All major modes
were successfully demonstrated, as well as INS only,
simulating a GPS-denied environment. Selectable terminal
constraints of impact angle and impact azimuth were also
tested successfully. These capabilities were previously only
available on very expensive precision guided weapons.
Lockheed Martin continues to work closely with the U.S.
Navy and U.S. Air Force on the development of the DMGB. The
DMGB program provides low-cost guidance kits for MK 82, 83
and 84 general-purpose warheads. DMGB enables employment of
accurate air-to-surface munitions from fighter and bomber
aircraft against high-priority fixed, slow moving and
relocatable targets. DMGB has the same basic physical size
and shape of the Guided Bomb Unit (GBU) family. It is
compatible with all aircraft that currently support the
GBU-12, 16 and 10 and JDAM. DMGB provides a GPS/INS guided,
highly accurate, all-weather precision guided weapon with
laser terminal guidance to meet needs identified during
Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
Lockheed Martin’s facility in Archbald produces weapon
systems for the U.S. Navy, Air Force, Army and international
armed forces, as well as instrumentation and control systems
for the U.S. Navy. The 350,000-square-foot facility, located
in northeastern PA, designs, develops manufactures, tests
and fields products for the U.S. Department of Defense,
allied nations and industrial customers.
Lockheed Martin’s facility in Archbald was awarded the
2005 Shingo Prize for Manufacturing Excellence last March.
Referred to by BusinessWeek magazine as the “Nobel prize of
manufacturing”, the Shingo Prize for Excellence in
Manufacturing is awarded annually to companies that
demonstrate world-class business results through the
implementation of Lean Manufacturing principles and
practices. The prize is administered by The College of
Business, Utah State University, in cooperation with several
nonprofit and corporate organizations.
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Media Contact:
Jennifer Allen, 407-356-5351; e-mail,
jennifer.l.allen@lmco.com
For additional information, visit our web
site:
http://www.lockheedmartin.com
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