Lightweight Multirole Missile

The Lightweight Multirole Missile (LMM; previously known as FASGW(L)) is a lightweight air-to-surface and surface-to-surface missile under development by Thales Air Defence for the United Kingdom. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has placed an initial order for 1,000 missiles and deliveries were due to start in 2013.^[1] In June 2014, the British MOD "announced that a new contract to design and manufacture future anti-surface guided weapons (light) (FASGW(L)) missiles will protect more than 60 jobs at the Thales factory in Belfast."^[2] The missile will be known as Martlet in British service.^[3]

History

LMM was initially conceived as Thales' response to the MoD's Future Air-to-Surface Guided Weapon (Light) FASGW(L) requirement. LMM has been designed to be launched from a variety of naval, air and land platforms against a wide range of targets. High precision reduces collateral damage and makes the missile suitable for asymmetric littoral operations.^[4] Development began in 2008 and the LMM uses technology from an earlier Thales missile, the Starstreak.^[5] Qualification testing and initial production commenced in late 2011, following an initial contract by the UK Ministry of Defence in April 2011.^[6] Thales has conducted successful guidance control firings, including a semi-active laser (SAL) version.

The MoD contract includes the design, development and qualification of a laser beam rider version of LMM, together with production of an initial quantity of 1,000 missiles. These will be operated from the new Lynx Wildcat^[7] and Thales graphics have shown helicopters carrying twin 7 round launchers. A more recent article says it will be "in packs of five on a single hardpoint" ^[8][9] These are due to enter service in 2015. The contract was funded by a deal to "re-role previously contracted budgets to facilitate the full-scale development, series production and introduction of the LMM." In other words other contract(s) were cut and the funds switched to paying for LMM. The most likely contract affected is for the Starstreak, which is approaching the end of its term.^[10]

Thales have test-fired an LMM from a Schiebel Camcopter S-100, demonstrating a potential for use from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Description

LMM is intended to provide a single family of weapons that can be used in different modes, including:^[11]

• Maritime – LMM will be carried on the new Lynx Wildcat helicopters of the Royal Navy for use against small surface vessels. ASELSAN of Turkey has developed dedicated mounting systems which can also enable the LMM to be launched from naval platforms such as fast attack craft (FAC).^[12]
• Surface-To-Surface – The dual-effect (blast fragmentation and shaped charge) of the LMM's warhead makes it suitable for use against a wide range of ground targets including light/medium armour.
• Air-Launched – The missile's modular design allows for future development and introduction of alternative warheads and seekers.

The LMMs in the initial batch use laser beam riding with infrared terminal homing and a laser proximity sensor, although a semi-active laser version is under development for precision surface attack roles.

Operators

 United Kingdom - 1,000 missiles on order (Expected to enter service in 2015)

See also

• European multilateral defence procurement
• List of missiles
• Sea Venom (missile) - FASGW(H)

References

External links

• Lightweight Multirole Missile on show at IMDEX
• Britain orders 1,000 Thales LMM missiles
• Janes Janes

Guided missiles of the United Kingdom Air-to-air ASRAAM Fireflash Firestreak Red Dean Red Top SRAAM/Taildog Skyflash Air-to-surface ALARM Brimstone Lightweight Multirole Missile Martel1 Sea Eagle Sea Skua Storm Shadow1 Sea Venom1 Surface-to-air Bloodhound Blowpipe CAMM Javelin Rapier Sea Cat Sea Dart Sea Slug Sea Viper Sea Wolf Starburst Starstreak Tigercat Thunderbird Surface-to-surface Swingfire Malkara2 UB.109T Vigilant Nuclear Blue Steel Blue Streak Blue Water Green Cheese 1 Anglo-French   2 Anglo-Australian