Phase 2 will see Lockheed Martin build and deliver hardware for safety confirmation testing, including fitting the Spike NLOS system onto an Infantry Utility Vehicle. This phase will assess the system’s safe and effective operation in diverse environments.
The selection follows a successful Phase 1 demonstration in August, during which the Spike NLOS showcased its non-line-of-sight capabilities by hitting long-range obscured targets with precision. The missile has also been tested in several U.S. Army live fire exercises, including operations with the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade in the U.S. Central Command area, from an AH-64Ev6 Apache Guardian helicopter in Poland, and by the 16th Combat Aviation Brigade at Yuma Proving Ground.
“Being down selected so quickly for Phase 2 of the M-LRPSM competition is a significant achievement, and we are confident our mature Spike NLOS system will meet the U.S. Army’s long-range precision strike needs and provide Mobile Brigade Combat Teams with the combat agility they need to succeed in a changing battlefield,” said Casey Walsh, programme director, Lockheed Martin Multi-Domain Missile Systems.
The Spike NLOS missile system, already in use and proven in multiple operational settings, is one of the contenders for the Army’s future long-range precision strike solution. A final decision on the selected system is expected once Phase 2 is completed.
Source: Lockheed Martin (press release).
