Lockheed Martin [LMT] recently conducted the longest-range test to date for the new extended range version of its GMLRS rocket (ER-GMLRS), firing out to 150 kilometers during the demonstration.
The company noted the system qualification test at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico successfully showcased the ability to nearly double the range of the current GMLRS system.
“Lockheed Martin is committed to advancing this critical capability on a rapid timeline for our Army customer, and this test moves ER GMLRS one step closer to fielding,” Jay Price, Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Controls’ vice president of precision fires, said in a statement.
ER-GMLRS has been in development for several years, which has included reaching ranges above 135 kilometers during engineering development testing in 2021 (Defense Daily, June 3 2021).
While the Army is still working through the testing and assessment of the upgraded weapon, a Lockheed Martin spokesperson told Defense Daily the company is “planning for the transition to production now.”
Lockheed Martin noted the recent 150-kilometer test firing ER-GMLRS from a HIMARS launcher met success criteria “for flight trajectory, extended range and accuracy from launch to impact.”
“Prior to launch, the rocket pod underwent Stockpile to Target Sequence testing,” the company said in a statement. “This effort simulates cumulative effects ER-GMLRS will meet in the field between factory and launch for the life of the system and demonstrates durability of the missile and launch pod container.”
Additional ER-GMLRS tests are planned for this year, the Lockheed Martin spokesperson told Defense Daily, with the next demonstration set to take place in October.
The State Department in February 2021 approved a potential $91.2 million deal with Finland for ER-GMLRS munitions (Defense Daily, Feb. 17 2021).