Category Archives: Rocket

Ground Forces, Missiles & Guided Weapons, Rocket

Polish HIMARS

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The Armaments Agency of the Polish Ministry of National Defense has signed a framework agreement with Lockheed Martin for the Homar-A Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS). Under the program, Polish industry will work with Lockheed Martin to integrate key components of the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) rocket launcher onto a Jelcz 6×6 truck. The agreement builds on Lockheed Martin’s growing partnership ecosystem in Poland. It includes technology transfer and production orders for HIMARS ammunition. Key participants from Polish industry include Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ), Huta Stalowa Wola (HSW), WZU and MESKO.

HIMARS
Polska Grup Zbrojeniowa And Lockheed Martin Will Integrate Key Components Of The HIMARS Launcher Onto A Jelcz Truck As Part Of The Homar-A Program (Photo Credit: Leszek Chemperek CO/MON)

Under the terms of the framework agreement, 486 Homar-A vehicles will be assembled in Poland, with first deliveries starting in 2026. In addition, tens of thousands of rocket ammunition missiles will be produced.

«The development of our Homar-A program marks another major step in strengthening Poland’s economic growth and security through partnerships with the local industrial base. We’re looking forward to jointly ensuring Poland and the entire region stay ahead of emerging security threats», said Paula Hartley, vice president and general manager of Tactical Missiles for Lockheed Martin.

The signing took place following the International Defense Industry Expo (MSPO) where the partnership debuted the first full-scale prototype of the Homar-A MLRS launcher equipped with a munitions pod that carries 6 GMLRS rockets, each with the ability to address targets at ranges of 70+ kilometers/43.5+ miles. Homar-A will also be able to launch the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) munition, which reaches up to 300 kilometers/186.4 miles.

Earlier this year, Poland also received its first shipment of HIMARS purchased through a United States Government Foreign Military Sale (FMS) contract. These launchers provide immediate capability and are interoperable with other defense systems used by Poland’s Armed Forces and regional allies.

A trusted partner for Poland’s national defense, industry, and economy, Lockheed Martin has invested $1.8 billion (USD) in Poland over the last 10 years. Today, its in-country operations sustain 6,700 high-value Polish jobs, of which 1,500 are with PZL Mielec, a Lockheed Martin company and one of Poland’s leading defense exporters.

Ground Forces, Missile Defense

Basic Operational Capability

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Northrop Grumman Corporation announces that Poland’s 37th Air Defense Squadron has declared Basic Operational Capability (BOC) for Poland’s WISŁA medium range air defense program operating with the company’s Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS).

WISŁA
Polish soldiers work with the IBCS Engagement Operations Center (EOC) during training at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. The EOC is a mobile command and control center where and missile defense battle management functions and operations are performed (Photo Credit: U.S. Army)
  • BOC was declared by Poland’s Ministry of National Defence for the first battery delivered to the WISŁA program.
  • Leading up to BOC, a comprehensive series of integration and testing was conducted to verify IBCS system performance.
  • BOC signifies the system has achieved initial combat capability and is progressing toward achieving Initial Operational Capability (IOC).

 

Experts

Rebecca Torzone, vice president and general manager, combat systems and mission readiness, Northrop Grumman: «This milestone is a major advancement in Poland’s air defense capability and their fielding of IBCS. With this next-generation integrated air and missile defense, Poland is prepared for today’s fight and the battlespace of the future».

Brigadier General Michał Marciniak, Deputy Head of Poland’s Armament Agency, Plenipotentiary of the Ministry of National Defence for Development of Integrated Air and Missile Defence: «BOC is a significant step for the Polish IAMD development process. From the operational and technical point of view, after all checks were completed during the BOC military exercises, we can confirm that all components of the first battery are connected and integrated with each other into one system. This allows us to take operator training to the next level and achieve IOC soon».

 

Details on the WISŁA Program

In 2018, the Polish government selected IBCS to serve as the centerpiece for their WISŁA modernization program, becoming the first U.S. ally to acquire the system. IBCS production and delivery to Poland is now complete and ready for deployment in defense of Poland.

IBCS will provide transformational, leap-ahead capabilities for Poland’s air and missile defense modernization program, while enhancing interoperability with allies and NATO. IBCS unifies sensors and shooters across the battlespace to decide the best action to defeat complex threats.

Missiles & Guided Weapons, Rocket, Sea

Naval Strike Missile

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Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (KONGSBERG) has been awarded contract worth approximately NOK 16 billion by the Polish Ministry of National Defence to deliver four NSM (Naval Strike Missile) Coastal Defence System (CDS) squadrons.

NSM (Naval Strike Missile)
KONGSBERG signs Naval Strike Missile Coastal Defence System contract with Poland worth approximately NOK 16 billion

Poland was the first nation to acquire the NSM CDS capability in 2008, and then with an additional squadron in 2014. The contract award builds on more than a decade of successful cooperation between KONGSBERG, the Polish Government and Polish industry. The new deliveries will carry on into the 2030s.

«This contract is the largest single contract in the history of KONGSBERG and is an important milestone in our more than 200 year long history. Poland has been a long-standing partner, and we are proud to sign this agreement. With the changed security situation in Europe, Poland is firm in its commitment to ensure important defence capabilities, and for KONGSBERG as an industry partner, this ensures predictability to invest and continue to build capacity to deliver on these needs», says Geir Håøy, President and CEO of KONGSBERG.

«The NSM coastal defence system plays a significant role in supporting nations’ ability to defend their territory and citizens. We are proud to support Poland in building up such a capability. The determination demonstrated by the Polish Ministry of National Defence to acquire more NSM CDS is a sign of trust and confirms that our system represents the most effective capability available», said Eirik Lie, President of Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace.

The Coastal Defence System is using NASAMS command and control with NSM control functionality. Polish industry will contribute to significant parts of the scope, including the communication system, vehicles and part of the command and control system, as well as taking part in system integration activities.

As part of the contract, KONGSBERG will provide training and technical support, including simulators, to enable Polish personnel to conduct maintenance services in Poland.

The NSM can be launched from both land- and sea-based platforms and is already in use by, or under delivery to, 12 countries. The NSM is a fifth generation Strike Missile and regarded as the most advanced naval strike missile in the world, initially developed by KONGSBERG for the Norwegian Navy. The missile’s stealth design makes it difficult to detect and its seeker system enables Autonomous Target Recognition of the targets.

The contract is dependent on approved export financing. The financing is expected to be finalized within a few weeks.

Missile Defense, Radars

WISŁA air and missile defense

The Polish Minister of National Defense, Mariusz Błaszczak, approved a Letter of Acceptance with the U.S. Army to expand its WISŁA air and missile defense capabilities with the introduction of 12 Lower-Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensors, or LTAMDS, and the addition of 48 Patriot launchers. The agreement sets the Foreign Military Sale into motion and makes Poland the first international customer to add the advanced 360-degree LTAMDS radar being built by Raytheon, an RTX business, to their air and missile defense architecture.

LTAMDS
LTAMDS is the next generation air and missile defense radar, providing dramatically more performance against the range of threats, from manned and unmanned aircraft to cruise missiles, ballistic missiles and hypersonics

The acquisition supports the Polish Government’s WISŁA Phase 2 program, building on the nearly completed first phase which culminated with the delivery and testing of four Patriot fire units. Raytheon completed its delivery of the last two fire units to Poland earlier this year and the systems will complete System Integration and Check-Out, or SICO, in October.

«Poland’s expansion of its WISŁA program will fortify the country’s security and defense against a range of air and missile threats», said Tom Laliberty, president of Land & Air Defense Systems at Raytheon. «With the introduction of LTAMDS, Poland will become the first country after the U.S. to complement the combat-proven Patriot with LTAMDS which provides extended range and full, 360-degree coverage to detect and defend against complex, highly coordinated, multi-threat attack scenarios».

Raytheon’s successful deliveries for WISŁA Phase 1 were due in large part to the collaborative partnerships with Polish industry. Nine Polish suppliers contributed various system elements and components to the Patriot system and are now part of Raytheon’s Global Supply Chain. Participation will continue and expand with an offset program for Phase 2, including opportunities to support LTAMDS. Five Polish industry partners, all members of the PGZ group, will receive technology, equipment, and training to enable them to produce and maintain components of LTAMDS. It is envisioned they will become part of the LTAMDS global supply chain.

Patriot is the only combat-proven ground-based air defense capability available in the world today to defeat advanced long-range cruise missiles, tactical ballistic missiles, and a full spectrum of air-breathing threats. It is the backbone of air defense for 19 countries.

LTAMDS is the next generation air and missile defense radar for the U.S. Army. A 360-degree, Active Electronically Scanned Array radar, powered by Raytheon-manufactured Gallium Nitride, LTAMDS provides dramatically more performance against the range of threats, from manned and unmanned aircraft to cruise missiles, ballistic missiles and hypersonics. Raytheon is advancing the development of LTAMDS for the U.S. Army, with all six radars under contract having completed production and are undergoing simultaneous testing at various government and Raytheon test sites, conducting integration and test activities in parallel.

Air, Air Force, Fighters, Missiles & Guided Weapons, Rocket

First flight test of AIM-120C-8

The U.S. Air Force and Raytheon, an RTX business, successfully completed the first flight test of the AIM-120C-8 – the latest international variant of AMRAAM developed under the Form, Fit, Function (F3R) refresh. The AIM-120C-8 was fired from an F-15C Eagle and downed the aerial target, meeting all primary objectives for the flight test.

AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM
US Air Force, RTX complete first flight test of AIM-120C-8

«AMRAAM is a combat-proven missile trusted by more than 40 international partners for both air-to-air and surface-to-air missions», said Paul Ferraro, president of Air Power at Raytheon, an RTX business. «With the advancements from F3R, which updates both the missile’s hardware and allows for future Agile software upgrades, we are maximizing the capabilities of this munition for allies around the world».

Under the F3R program, engineers used model-based systems engineering initiatives and other digital technologies to upgrade multiple circuit cards and advanced processors in the guidance section of the missile and to re-host legacy software in the AIM-120D-3 and AIM-120C-8 AMRAAMs.

This AIM-120C-8 flight test follows the completion of flight testing of the AIM-120D-3. Flight testing on the AIM-120D-3 was completed in just 11 months after the initial flight test and concluded with showcasing the success of the missile in a highly contested environment.

Recently, the U.S. Air Force awarded Raytheon a $1.15 billion AMRAAM contract to produce AIM-120D-3 and AIM-120C-8 missiles for 19 countries.

Ground Forces, Missiles & Guided Weapons, Rocket

Extended-Range GMLRS

Lockheed Martin successfully demonstrated its next-generation Extended-Range Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (ER GMLRS) in a flight test at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, firing the round from the U.S. Army’s HIMARS launcher.

ER GMLRS
Lockheed Martin’s Extended-Range Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (ER GMLRS) will nearly double the range of the current munition while maintaining proven precision

«This test demonstrates nearly double the range, while maintaining the precision GMLRS is known for», said Jay Price, vice president of Precision Fires at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. «Lockheed Martin is committed to advancing this critical capability on a rapid timeline for our Army customer, and this test moves ER GMLRS one step closer to fielding».

ER GMLRS met success criteria in the first 150-kilometer/92-mile test for flight trajectory, extended range and accuracy from launch to impact. The product also successfully integrated with HIMARS and achieved overall missile performance.

Prior to launch, the rocket pod underwent Stockpile to Target Sequence (STS) testing. This effort simulates cumulative effects ER GMLRS will meet in the field between factory and launch for the life of the system and demonstrates durability of the missile and launch pod container.

Lockheed Martin has produced more than 60,000 GMLRS rounds and is under annual contract to continue production of GMLRS unitary and alternative-warhead rockets including integrated logistics support for the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps and international customers. The systems are produced at the company’s Precision Fires Center of Excellence in Camden, Arkansas.

Ground Forces, Radars

GhostEye MR radar

Raytheon, an RTX business, has been awarded $7 million to advance development and assessment of the company’s GhostEye MR radar, an advanced medium-range sensor for the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System, or NASAMS.

GhostEye MR
GhostEye MR is an advanced 360-degree surveillance and fire control sensor designed for NASAMS that can detect, track, and identify a wide variety of threats

These are the first government contracts for GhostEye MR, a multi-mission radar designed and developed by Raytheon via internal research and development investments. Funding will support continued radar development and then an operational assessment at White Sands Missile Range later this year.

«This government support confirms the growing relevance and demand for the capabilities of GhostEye MR, as nations around the globe look to bolster their air defense», said Tom Laliberty, president of Land & Air Defense Systems at Raytheon. «Partnering with DoD, Air Force, and Kongsberg, we will showcase the sensor’s range of capabilities against a multitude of emerging threats».

The experiment at White Sands will assess the operational performance of GhostEye MR, with the radar providing effective surveillance cues and integrating with the combat-proven NASAMS air defense system. This follows the Strategic Developmental Planning & Experimentation (SDPE) office’s successful air base air defense experiment in Andøya, Norway, last September, which showcased NASAMS’ ability to engage and intercept various advanced aerial threats using multiple Raytheon missile types and Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace’s Fire Distribution Center, or FDC. The operational assessment in September will build upon the capabilities demonstrated in Andøya by utilizing the U.S. Air Force’s relevant command and control to link GhostEye MR with NASAMS’ FDC.

Funding consists of a contract from the U.S. Air Force Research Lab’s SDPE office and the Office of the Secretary of Defense’s Rapid Prototyping Program (RPP).

A member of Raytheon’s GhostEye family of sensors, GhostEye MR is an advanced medium-range multi-mission radar for NASAMS. The radar, introduced in 2021, provides increased range and altitude coverage to expand the defended-area capabilities of NASAMS. Additionally, GhostEye MR leverages commonality with the Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor (LTAMDS) that Raytheon is building for the U.S. Army.

Ground Forces, Missiles & Guided Weapons, Rocket

Mid-Range Capability

The Army took its next step in bolstering its top modernization priority with a successful launch of the Tomahawk missile from its Mid-Range Capability (MRC) prototype system on June 27, showcasing the potential of its newest, ground-based missile launcher.

Mid-Range Capability (MRC)
The Army’s Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office’s Mid-Range Capability Project Office, in conjunction with Soldiers from 1st Multi-Domain Task Force, and the U.S. Navy Program Executive Office Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons, successfully demonstrated the launch of a Tomahawk missile from the Army’s prototype Mid-Range Capability system on June 27, 2023 (U.S. Army photo by Darrell Ames)

Soldiers from the 1st Domain Task Force at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington and Sailors from the Navy Program Executive Office Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons Office took part in the joint, live-fire exercise that demonstrated the system’s full operational capability. Earlier this year, the Army fired an SM-6 missile from the mid-range capability. The launches occurred at undisclosed test sites.

The Navy uses the Tomahawk, an intermediate-range, subsonic, cruise missile to strike targets from 1,000 miles/1,609 km away and can switch destinations in mid-flight.

The Army eventually plans to field an MRC battery which will be assigned to a strategic fires battalion under a multi-domain task force. The battery’s prototype design consists of four launchers and a control center.

Soldiers contributed to the design and testing of the Mid-Range Capability weapon system, which the Army will use to augment its long-range, precision fires capability.

«From the start of the Mid-Range Capability program, Soldiers and Sailors have collaborated to provide the Army with this important capability», wrote the Army’s Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. «Soldiers have consistently participated in each phase of the development, training and testing of the MRC and continue to provide useful feedback».

The MRC system will eventually support the joint, multi-domain mission. The SM-6 missile can engage multiple threats including terminal ballistic missile defense, anti-air warfare and anti-ship strike roles.

Improvements by near peer adversaries in their long-range artillery systems present possible threats to U.S. forces. The Chinese military has leveraged Unmanned Aerial Vehicles or UAV, to produce precision munitions and greater target acquisition.

The Army made long-range precision fires its top modernization priority to upgrade and bolster its artillery and missile systems while developing hypersonic weapons and long-range cannons.

Missile Defense, Missiles & Guided Weapons, Rocket

NGI program

Northrop Grumman Corporation successfully manufactured the first set of solid rocket motor cases for the Missile Defense Agency’s (MDA) Next-Generation Interceptor (NGI) program.

NGI program
Northrop Grumman successfully manufactured the first set of solid rocket motor cases (one of the segments pictured here) for the Missile Defense Agency’s (MDA) Next-Generation Interceptor (NGI) program (Photo Credit: Northrop Grumman)

The NGI pathfinder motors demonstrate case designs, manufacturing processes as well as allows the teams to test and conduct integration operations. The completed cases will be filled with inert propellent and shipped to Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, where they will be integrated into an interceptor, continuing pathfinder activities and further proving out processes. Once integration is complete, the interceptor will be used for additional testing and process verification.

«Our experienced teams and cutting-edge solid rocket motor manufacturing technologies, backed by flight-proven processes, have enabled us to achieve several key milestones in rapid succession», said Lisa Brown, vice president, NGI, Northrop Grumman. «With NGI’s mission to defend our homeland against incoming enemy threats, saving time and reducing risk is vital».

The successful production of NGI solid rocket motor cases is a significant achievement that demonstrates our expertise and robust designs and manufacturing capabilities.

Missiles & Guided Weapons, Rocket

Next Generation Interceptor

Lockheed Martin successfully validated designs for all elements of the nation’s Next Generation Interceptor (NGI) with the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA).

Next Generation Interceptor (NGI)
Artist’s notional depiction of NGI in flight (Credit: Lockheed Martin)

Through a series of successful and on-schedule Preliminary Design Reviews (PDRs) of all NGI major subsystems, the company demonstrated it has achieved design maturity and reduced risk for critical technologies. NGI is the future of the MDA’s Ground-Based Missile Defense (GMD) system to protect the U.S. homeland against intercontinental ballistic missile threats from rogue nations.

«Lockheed Martin is making rapid progress with our NGI solution, remaining on an accelerated schedule toward flight testing», said Sarah Reeves, vice president of NGI at Lockheed Martin. «During these reviews, we took a modern and transparent approach through the use of advanced digital engineering and model-based engineering tools. Our NGI team will continue on-plan to demonstrate our revolutionary NGI architecture, leveraging mature technologies for high mission confidence».

Lockheed Martin is demonstrating engineering work that has been performed in the integrated digital tool chain to drive faster decision making, enhance security, and enable rapid delivery and agility. This approach emphasizes affordability across the program lifecycle. Lockheed Martin’s NGI solution will increase warfighter capability, providing an improved defensive solution to address the complex battlespace now and in the future.

Lockheed Martin’s NGI program is on track for its next major review, the All Up Round PDR. During this next major review, MDA will assess if the program is ready to move forward in the acquisition process through Knowledge Point number one and ultimately on to the Critical Design Review. The first Lockheed Martin NGI is forecast for delivery to the warfighter as early as FY2027.