LOCKHEED TEST-FIRES JAVELIN MISSILE FROM NEW WEAPONS TURRET

Lockheed Martin has successfully test-fired a Javelin missile from its newly developed turret at the Cranfield Ordnance Test and Evaluation Centre (COTEC) near Wiltshire, UK. Designed and built as a joint project between Lockheed Martin UK (LMUK) in Ampthill, and Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control in Texas, and Florida, the turret aims to support a number of potential business opportunities worldwide. The turret devel-

opment, based on the company’s expertise in designing infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) turrets and its experience in missile systems, and the test launch of both a 30mm cannon and a fully integrated Javelin missile, was completed in nine months. LMUK Ampthill Vice President and Managing Director Alan Lines said the test launch is the culmination of a ‘tremendous amount of cooperation and hard work between the UK and US teams’. “The team was able to leverage knowledge gained from other ground vehicles programmes, such as the warrior capability sustainment programme and scout specialist vehicle, as well as the US ground combat vehicle and amphibious combat vehicle,” Lines said. Lockheed’s turret solutions are claimed to exceed the accuracy requirements for both static and on-themove firing. When combined with enhanced protection, they can also maximise mission success and increase crew effectiveness.