DARPA selects LM for LRASM program

WASHINGTON, July 2 (UPI) -- Lockheed Martin has been contracted by the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to support the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile program.

U.S. company Lockheed Martin says its Florida-based Missiles and Fire Control unit was awarded the DARPA funding. Officials say Lockheed Martin is the first to receive a contract as part of the LRASM program.

Under the $10 million missile demonstration effort, Lockheed Martin will conduct "trade studies and system performance analysis, develop a preliminary design, and perform risk reduction testing of critical elements of (its) system," a news release said.

The LRASM program is a joint effort by DARPA and the U.S. Navy to develop next-generation anti-surface warfare technologies that can engage targets at extended ranges.