ORLANDO, Fla., July 24 (UPI) -- The dual-mode guidance section for Lockheed Martin's Joint Air-to-Ground missile was successfully demonstrated in a second internally funded flight test.
In the test at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., a rail-mounted JAGM missile's semi-active laser acquired its target and then engaged its millimeter wave radar for precision target destruction.
"This second flight test success demonstrates that Lockheed Martin's JAGM solution is a proven, low-risk capability," said Frank St. John, vice president of tactical missiles and combat maneuver systems at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control.
"Our risk reduction activities support the U.S. Army's goal of using a demonstrated guidance section that minimizes cost and risk and eliminates the need for additional development efforts during the engineering and manufacturing development phase."
Lockheed Martin said the flight test was a "risk reduction milestone" critical to company performance on the U.S. Army's 27-month Continued Technology Development program for the weapon.
The initial internally funded risk-reduction test took place last February.
JAGM is expected to be added to the U.S. military's operational inventory in 2016.
