Lockheed Martin has awarded a $117m contract to BAE Systems to manufacture next-generation missile seekers for the long-range anti-ship missile (LRASM).
The latest LRASM contract will support missiles for the US Navy (USN), US Air Force (USAF), and US allies through Foreign Military Sales (FMS).
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It will also support research, development, test, and other evaluation services, according to BAE Systems.
Work associated with the LRASM seeker will be conducted at BAE Systems’ US facilities in New Jersey, New York, and New Hampshire.
The next-generation seeker technology enables LRASM to detect and engage specific maritime targets in difficult electromagnetic environments.
With this technology, the LRASM will have less dependency on regular navigation systems. It is also designed to reduce overall missile costs.
BAE Systems Radio Frequency Sensors product area director Bruce Konigsberg said: “We’re committed to providing affordable systems that deliver unmatched capabilities to the US and its allies.
“We’ve designed efficient seeker systems that are easier to build and test without compromising on performance.”
The seekers that BAE Systems is producing are for Lots 4 and 5. They are easier to produce, involve less complex manufacturing processes, and are more capable.
The systems feature long-range sensors and targeting technology that enable the missile to identify and destroy protected maritime targets.
Developed based on the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile-Extended Range (JASSM-ER), LRASM is a precision-guided, anti-ship standoff missile designed to fill the requirements of warfighters in contested environments.
In December last year, Lockheed Martin awarded a contract to BAE Systems to build and supply additional advanced missile seekers for the LRASM missile.
