LCM

Manufacturer:

Miltec is the prime contractor on the Low Cost Missile (LCM) program. Miltec designed and built the avionics and telemetry for the Shot Hot Launch (SHOTL) missile test Aug. 3. GenCorp.ís Aerojet provided the solid rocket motor for the test and is the program propulsion lead. Northrop Grumman [NOC] is developing the seeker. MPC Products designed and built a prototype control actuation system that has been successfully tested in the lab.

Characteristics:

Following the successful Aug. 3 SHOTL test, the missile design will be modified from a 10 inch/700 pound interceptor with a range of 130 kilometers to a 7 inch/350 pound missile with a range of 30 km to 40 km. Also, work will include a new propulsion design, updated seeker design, modified control actuation system and new flight aerodynamics. Within 18 months, the company anticipates developing and testing the new motor and control actuation system. A controlled vehicle flight test is expected within three years.

Combat Use:

LCM is in development and not been tested in combat.

Foreign Users:

Currently there are no foreign participants in the program.

Analysis:

The Army Space and Missile Defense Command began the program in 2000. The goal is to integrate existing technologies to produce a missile with a range between 20 kilometers to 150km. The missile is expected to cost around $100,000 per round and designed to plug-and fight with existing missile systems as part of the future integrated air and missile defense architecture. A cheaper interceptor could attack cheaper threats, such as first and second-generation cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles or helicopters. More advanced, expensive, capable missile systems would counter more advanced threats. LCM is also envisioned as an option for homeland defense.