The U.S. Army is interested in buying a low-cost soldier-launched loitering precision weapon system to fulfill urgent operational requirements.
In a recent announcement, released Tuesday by the U.S. Army Contracting Command on the Federal Business Opportunities website, said that the Army is seeking a capability that meets or exceeds set the Lethal Miniature Aerial Missile System (LMAMS).
These requirements are based on existing user requirements submitted as part of Joint Urgent Operational Needs (JUON) and Operational Needs Statements (ONS), and component technologies developed by the Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC) Aviation and & Missile Center.
According to the announcement, the LMAMS is envisioned to be a loitering, precision-guided system, organic at the small unit level that enables engagement of enemy combatants without exposing the Warfighter to direct enemy fires.
LMAMS is a single-use weapon meant to be carried in a soldier’s backpack.
Notional LMAMS system components may consist of:
- An all-up-round missile (includes airframe, sensors, integrated guidance, warhead, data link, and launcher) and
- Fire Control Unit (providing functions such as data link, operator interface, and mission preparation and execution functions) that is notionally day/night readable, provides the user real-time video and control of the missile.
The operator can select predetermined targets using geolocation reference, visually select and identify targets of opportunity, loiter, abort, abort and redirect, arm/disarm, and manually command warhead detonation.
The system must have lethal effects against personnel and light-duty vehicles while minimizing collateral damage. LMAMS must have the ability to automatically lock on and track a stationary or moving target. Once a target is selected by the operator in the terminal phase of engagement, no further operator input shall be required.
Some samples of this type of weapon system are already in the service of the army and were actively used in Iraq and Syria and during field exercises at Grafenwoehr, Germany.
