Courtesy of Lockheed Martin ©2017

BAE Systems has begun production of its sensor technology for the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) following a $40 million order from prime contractor Lockheed Martin. The sensor enables the missile to seek and attack specific high-threat maritime targets within groups of ships, including those protected by sophisticated anti-aircraft systems. The missile’s range, survivability and lethality are designed to help warfighters more effectively conduct missions in denied environments from beyond the reach of return fire — meeting a pressing need for both the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force.

LRASM is a next-generation, precision-guided, stealth missile capable of semi-autonomously detecting and identifying targeted enemy ships. The precision routing and guidance technology of the sensor — which does not rely exclusively on intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems, networking links or GPS navigation — enables the missile to operate effectively in contested domains and all weather conditions, day or night.

BAE Systems’ advanced mid-course sensor technology incorporates the company’s software and hardware capabilities designed for the world’s leading electronic warfare aircraft platforms. The sensor system also represents the company’s approach to bringing precision guidance to small platforms and builds on the company’s expertise in signal processing and target detection and location.

As part of BAE Systems’ close work with LRASM prime contractor Lockheed Martin, the company provided the sensor technology that supported a recent successful demonstration of the anti-ship missile. The launch demonstrates LRASM’s ability to address the Navy's need for versatile, multi-platform precision munitions that enable distributed operations.

Work on the sensor technology will be conducted at BAE Systems’ facilities in Nashua, N.H. and Wayne, N.J.

Joseph Mancini, LRASM program manager at BAE Systems, said, “The production of our advanced sensor for LRASM is a testament to the strength of our technology and our ability to transition the capability from airframes to missiles. Precision guidance and advanced electronics are areas where we have leading capabilities, and where we can provide warfighters with an advantage on the battlefield.”