Ramona Adams
Lockheed Martin and Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems will offer their respective missiles to the U.S. Army for possible integration with the service branch’s Indirect Fires Protection Capability multi-mission launcher, Defense News reported Monday.
The Army seeks a second missile as part of the IFPC Increment 2 program, which aims to develop a weapon system that can counter rockets, artillery, mortars, cruise missiles and unmanned aircraft systems.
The second interceptor, dubbed Expanded Mission Area Missile, will add to the Raytheon-built AIM-9X Sidewinder missile that has been qualified for IFPC.
Frank St. John, vice president of Lockheed’s missiles and fire control business, told Defense News that the company is pursuing the EMAM program with its Mini Hit-to-Kill missile.
St. John added that Lockheed expects the Army to make an award for missile test and evaluation within two months.
Rafael plans to offer its Sky Hunter missile to the Army through the company’s U.S. partner, Raytheon.
Sky Hunter is the U.S. version of Rafael’s Tamir interceptors, which are used for the Israeli defense firm’s Iron Dome weapon system.
