. Military Space News .
Lockheed Martin Tests Guidance Upgrade And Improved Software For ATACMS Block IA Unitary

ATACMS is a combat proven evolutionary family of missiles which scored numerous successes again in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). During OIF, ATACMS was truly a joint system, providing supporting fires for the Army, Air Force and Marines. This was especially evident during bad weather or when responsiveness for immediate support was needed.
by Staff Writers
Dallas TX (SPX) Jul 24, 2007
Lockheed Martin has tested ab upgraded guidance and control system for the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) at White Sands Missile Range, NM. The recent test validated the new guidance upgrade, the integration of software and hardware and their interaction with an improved fuze. The missile achieved all test objectives.

"Combat-proven ATACMS adds to the concept of 'joint fires interdependence' by offering the right munition to achieve the right effect at the right time, regardless of the color of the uniform you're wearing," said Col. Gary S. Kinne, Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) systems manager for Rocket and Missile Systems (TSM-RAMS) at Fort Sill, OK.

"The Army's first surface-to-surface, long-range, all-weather, precision attack capability used in combat, ATACMS provides the Joint Force Commander an immediately available, lethal asset to attack time-sensitive and high value stationary or fixed targets in both open and constrained environments (complex/urban terrain).

ATACMS will continue to provide a Joint complementary option by its inclusion in the air tasking order for planned attack and defeat of high value targets and/or in a support role to provide Joint suppression or destruction of enemy air defenses.

Its precision reach affords the ability to provide responsive, long-range lateral supporting fires as well as shaping fires that set the conditions for decisive victory. This flexibility enables support of non-standard and direct support missions in addition to the more traditional role of general support to a corps or Joint Task Force. Evolving tactics and techniques will enhance its utility well into the foreseeable future."

The Army TACMS Unitary missile is a responsive long-range missile, with a blast fragmentation warhead fired from the Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) family of launchers, including the MLRS M270A1 launcher and the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS). The ATACMS family of munitions includes the Block I, Block IA, Block IA Unitary and the Advanced Concept Technology Demonstrations (ACTD) Penetrator.

ATACMS was the first tactical surface-to-surface missile ever fired in combat by the U.S. Army during Operation Desert Storm. ATACMS is a combat proven evolutionary family of missiles which scored numerous successes again in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). During OIF, ATACMS was truly a joint system, providing supporting fires for the Army, Air Force and Marines. This was especially evident during bad weather or when responsiveness for immediate support was needed.

"The new guidance upgrades increase the reliability, accuracy and lethality of the Army ATACMS Block 1A Unitary Missiles," said Al Duchesne, program director of Missile and Rocket Systems at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "The ATACMS missile system expands the wealth of choice commanders on the ground have when low collateral damage is a concern. The vertical impact capability and increased accuracy make ATACMS the ideal system for high payoff targets."

Community
Email This Article
Comment On This Article

Related Links
Lockheed Martin
Learn about missile defense at SpaceWar.com
All about missiles at SpaceWar.com



Memory Foam Mattress Review
Newsletters :: SpaceDaily :: SpaceWar :: TerraDaily :: Energy Daily
XML Feeds :: Space News :: Earth News :: War News :: Solar Energy News


Lockheed Martin Conducts PAC-3 Missile Test At White Sands Missile Range
Dallas TX (SPX) Jul 20, 2007
Lockheed Martin successfully conducted a PAC-3 Missile flight test today at White Sands Missile Range, NM. The test was an engagement against a low-flying, air-breathing target, which was intercepted and destroyed by a PAC-3 Missile. The flight test was conducted by PATRIOT soldiers from the 5th Battalion of the 52nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment (ADA) Regiment, 11th ADA Brigade at Fort Bliss. The test successfully demonstrated the systems capability to detect, track, engage and destroy an air-breathing target.







  • Russia Proposes Drafting Simpler START Arms Treaty
  • Russia Rejects NATO Offer As Crisis Looms Over CFE
  • Bush And Putin Still Partners
  • Russia Has Everything To Win By Freezing Treaty

  • North Korea May Disable Nukes Before Deadline But Wants A Light Water Reactor
  • Can The Iranian Nuclear Complex Survive A Bad Earthquake
  • Korean Nuke Talks End Without Deadline But Skeletons Remain
  • Current Nuclear Threat Worse Than During Cold War

  • Lockheed Martin Tests Guidance Upgrade And Improved Software For ATACMS Block IA Unitary
  • Lockheed Martin Conducts PAC-3 Missile Test At White Sands Missile Range
  • Lockheed Martin Tests Guidance Software For ATACMS Block IA Unitary
  • NetFires Conducts Successful Warhead Demonstration For Precision Attack Missile

  • Czech Opposition To Radar Plans Grows As Russia About Consequences
  • Lockheed Martin-Built Milstar Satellite Constellation Repositioned To Enhance Global Coverage
  • US Versus Russia On ABM
  • US Sees No Link Between CFE Suspension And Missile Shield

  • Sensors May Monitor Aircraft For Defects Continuously
  • Sarkozy, Merkel To Tackle Airbus Problems
  • Sukhoi Super Jet: The Great White Hope Of The Russian Aircraft Industry
  • Goodrich Contributes Technology For Environmentally-Friendly Engine Research Program

  • Army Signs Contract With Aurora For Continued Orion HALL Development
  • US Marine Corps Begins Transitioning To Shadow Tactical UAS
  • South Korea Seeks To Acquire Sensitive Spy Planes
  • Air Force Chief Of Staff Initiates MQ-1 Predator Plus-up

  • Pressure Mounts To Dump Iraq Back On UN
  • The Logistics Of Pulling Out Of Iraq A Political Minefield
  • Broad Failure In Middle East
  • Facing Realities In Iraq Part 3

  • FA-18 AESA Radar Soars Into Full Rate Production
  • Northrop Grumman Delivers Initial Integrated Combat Management System For LCS-2
  • TPI Composites And Armor Holdings Unveil First All-Composite Military Vehicle
  • Future Combat Systems Team To Initiate Production Planning

  • The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2006 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA PortalReports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additionalcopyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement