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Long Range Land Attack Projectile Test Demonstrates 60 NM Guided Flight

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS050627-14
Release Date: 6/27/2005 8:30:00 PM

From Naval Sea Systems Command Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The DD(X) National Team and the Navy conducted the third consecutive successful guided-flight test of the 155mm Long Range Land Attack Projectile (LRLAP) June 16.

Preliminary results indicate the munition successfully conducted preplanned maneuvers along a 60 nautical mile flight path during the 280-second flight.

“This important test highlights another successful milestone to develop and field long-range, GPS-precise gun munitions for our fleet,” said Rear Adm. Charles Hamilton, the program executive officer for ships. “The success of LRLAP is vital to our efforts to deliver DD(X) to the fleet as planned. Each one of these shots brings us closer to that goal.”

“The DD(X) development team, both in the Navy and industry, continues to make major strides to demonstrate critical new capabilities such as LRLAP for DD(X),“ according to Capt. Charles Goddard, the DD(X) program manager. “Our rigorous development and test program is focused using prototype systems to fully evaluate and mature these technologies for DD(X) and other future ships.”

Guided Flight Test #4 (GF-04) is the fourth of seven guided-flight tests planned as part of the LRLAP engineering development model (EDM) program. GF-04 follows the successful projectile performance demonstrated in two other successful flights in January and February 2005. This most recent test, like the others, was conducted at the San Nicolas Island test facility located at Naval Air Warfare Center, Weapons Division, Pt. Mugu, Calif.

After launch, the LRLAP projectile successfully acquired Global Positioning System input and executed guided flight through a series of preplanned maneuvers. The GF-04 flight plan was developed to provide expanded aerodynamic performance data across many anticipated flight regimes. Detailed test data recorded during the flight will be analyzed as part of the development program.

The test projectile consisted of a full-length projectile airframe with base/tail assembly, a live rocket motor with a pressure-activated initiator, a telemetry unit housed in the warhead section, and a full guidance, navigation and control subsystem.

The test event was conducted by United Defense and Lockheed Martin under subcontract with Bath Iron Works and the DD(X) design agent Northrop Grumman Ships Systems.

DD(X), a multimission surface combatant tailored for land attack and littoral dominance, will provide independent forward presence and deterrence, and operate as an integral part of joint and combined expeditionary forces. DD(X)’s main battery of two 155mm Advanced Gun Systems and fully automated magazine of up to 920 Long Range Land Attack Projectiles will provide ground forces with lethal and responsive all-weather firepower. In addition, the DD(X) program will provide a baseline for spiral development of technology and engineering to support a range of future surface ships, including the next-generation air-defense cruiser CG(X), the CVN 21 aircraft carrier and amphibious ships.

The Navy awarded the DD(X) Phase III Design Agent contract to Northrop Grumman Ship Systems (NGSS) April 29, 2002. As the DD(X) Design Agent, NGSS is executing the design, development, and testing of 10 Engineering Development Models (EDMs), and maturing the DD(X) system design culminating in the Critical Design Review (CDR) in July 2005.