Lockheed Martin recently demonstrated the successful firing of a Javelin missile from a turret at the Cranfield Ordnance Test and Evaluation Centre (COTEC) near Wiltshire, England.

The turret was designed and built as a joint project between Lockheed Martin U.K. in Ampthill, Bedfordshire, U.K., and Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control in Dallas, Texas, and Orlando, Florida. The production of the turret and successful firing of both a 30mm cannon and a fully integrated Javelin missile has been achieved in a nine-month period.

Building on Lockheed Martin's expertise in designing Infantry Fighting Vehicle turrets and its experience in missile systems, this development work is being conducted to support a number of potential business opportunities around the world.

"This firing is the culmination of a tremendous amount of cooperation and hard work between the U.K. and U.S. teams," said Alan Lines, vice president and managing director, LMUK Ampthill. "The team was able to leverage knowledge gained from other Ground Vehicles programs, such as the Warrior Capability Sustainment Programme and Scout Specialist Vehicle, as well as the U.S. Ground Combat Vehicle and Amphibious Combat Vehicle."

Lockheed Martin turret solutions exceed the accuracy requirements for both static and on-the-move firing, combined with enhanced protection and ergonomically driven fightability improvements, maximizing mission success and significantly increasing crew effectiveness.

Javelin is the World's most versatile and lethal one-man-portable, anti-tank, guided munition and surveillance weapon system. It is made by the Javelin Joint Venture, a partnership between Raytheon Company and Lockheed Martin.