TUCSON, Ariz., -- The NetFires Limited Liability Company (LLC), composed of Raytheon Missile Systems and Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, successfully passed the Preliminary Design Review

(PDR) for the Non Line-of-Sight-Launch System (NLOS-LS) Container Launch Unit (CLU).

This represents the accomplishment of another significant milestone in meeting the design and performance parameters of the NLOS-LS system, supporting the Army's FCS Spin Out 1 and the Navy's Littoral Combat Ship, Flight Zero requirements. The successful accomplishment of the CLU PDR provides the Army and Navy a "systems level perspective" of NLOS-LS, a joint Army/Navy program currently in the system development and demonstration (SDD) phase. Work under this contract began in 2004.

The NLOS-LS CLU is being co-developed by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin and their component suppliers.

"The CLU PDR was completed on schedule and reflects a dedicated team effort," said Ric Magness of Lockheed Martin, president of the NetFires LLC, and Scott Speet of Raytheon, executive vice president of the NetFires LLC, in a joint statement. "Our team worked hard to meet this critical milestone, and the results reflect what we can accomplish when our two companies come together under the NetFires LLC."

NLOS-LS, which was developed under a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) program called NetFires, successfully conducted numerous flight tests from the CLU during the DARPA program. That program focused on innovative design and performance of missiles launched from a compact, networked, self-contained, platform-independent launcher. The demonstrated flight successes from the CLU during the DARPA program supported transition to the Army SDD and the decision by the Army to accelerate fielding of the NLOS- LS PAM (Precision Attack Missile) and CLU.

"We're very pleased with the manner in which the NLOS-LS team worked to reach PDR," said Col. Doug Dever, the Army's NLOS-LS program manager. "They have demonstrated a preliminary design that meets all design and performance requirements for the Container Launch Unit."

The NLOS-LS system consists of Raytheon's PAM, Lockheed Martin's Loitering Attack Missile (LAM) and a joint CLU. In 2004, the Army decided to accelerate the Raytheon PAM and joint CLU for incorporation into the Army's Evaluation Brigade Combat Team, Spin Out 1. The LAM is positioned for reentry into SDD to support future FCS spirals.

The Navy entered into a memorandum of agreement with the Army in 2005 for the NLOS-LS system. The Navy has selected the NLOS-LS PAM and CLU for integration on the Littoral Combat Ship that also is scheduled for delivery in fiscal year 2008. Successful completion of the CLU PDR is a major step along the development path to support both services' requirements for the system.

NLOS-LS provides both Army and Navy commanders with immediate, precise and responsive fires on high payoff targets with real time target acquisition and battle effects.

Raytheon Co.
16.02.2006