Lockheed Martin said it completed both the first integrated HELLFIRE missile live-fire and vertical-launch test from the company’s new containerized GRIZZLY launcher, which uses commercial off-the-shelf materials, reducing logistics footprint and acquisition cost.
During the tests, the launcher demonstrated its ability to load and launch a missile from a 10-foot Tricon container. Built in six months from established weapon and launcher architectures, including the fielded M299 system, GRIZZLY delivers a cost-efficient, mobile and "low-observable" distributed expeditionary weapon delivery capability.
Lockheed Martin said the speed of these tests continues to refine the on-going development of the system, and data collected permits rapid insertion of product improvements that best supports U.S. customer needs.
“This is an example of how our Lockheed Martin team is leading innovation for our customers’ needs,” said Randy Crites, vice president, Lockheed Martin Advanced Programs. “Our first live fire tests come just six months after the program began research and development, through internal Lockheed Martin investment, demonstrating our focus on quickly delivering a mobile and versatile launcher capability to defeat evolving threats."
