Lockheed Makes Progress on NETFIRES Components

NETFIRES concept(click to view full) Lockheed Martin has completed two aggressive cost reduction workshops for the NetFires Non Line-of-Sight – Launch System (NLOS-LS) Loitering Attack Missile (LAM), reducing manufacturing time by more than 90% and Laser Radar (LADAR) seeker cost by 22%. The LAM is among several products awarded in 2003 to NetFires LLC, a joint venture between Lockheed Martin and Raytheon. Other products under development by the LLC include a Precision Attack Missile (PAM) and an autonomous Container Launch Unit (CLU). The basic concept of NETFIRES (a Future Combat Systems program) is to develop a family of artillery-like precision attack missiles based upon a vertical launcher design. Yet the idea goes far beyond that simple description… A more complete explanation of NETFIRES, and of Lockeed’s successful design workshops, can be found at DID’s new NETFIRES Focus article.