The demonstration showed that a rocket could be loaded and fired from the Kodiak system, with all planned mission requirements completed on the first attempt. It followed several successful GRIZZLY tests conducted by Lockheed Martin as the company develops containerized options for both offensive and defensive fires.
Kodiak is designed for deployment from air, land and sea platforms, allowing the launcher to be positioned across different operating environments. Each container can carry up to 12 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System rockets, giving military users the ability to scale firepower from a compact launcher footprint.
The Reduced-Range Practice Rocket used in the test is the training round employed by HIMARS and M270A2 Multiple Launch Rocket System crews during live-fire training. Those crews use RRPR to train for employment of GMLRS and other weapons within the MLRS Family of Munitions.
Lockheed Martin said containerization could provide the Department of War with cost-efficient and low-observable options for deploying offensive and defensive fires. The approach is also intended to give military operators greater flexibility to reposition launcher capacity as operational requirements change.
The company is expanding GMLRS production capacity to meet increasing demand while developing containerized launch options for the weapon. Lockheed Martin said the combination could provide another route for deploying GMLRS firepower rapidly from a wider range of locations and platforms.
“Achieving a live-fire launch from our Kodiak containerized system in under six months showcases the speed and agility our customers demand,” said Randy Crites, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin Advanced Programs. “Completing all mission requirements on our first attempt reinforces our commitment to delivering a ready-to-fire solution that keeps pace with the evolving battlefield.”
