LRLAP is a 155mm GPS-(global positioning system) guided gun-launched projectile capable of precision fire support at ranges up to 83 nautical miles.

The LRLAP Guided Flight-four (GF-04) gun test marked the longest successful guided-projectile test in history. The LRLAP, fired at the San Nicolas Island test facility at the Naval Air Warfare Center, Weapons Division, Pt. Mugu, Calif., (NAWC-WD), flew a guided trajectory to an impact location more than 59 nautical miles down range.

"This important test highlights another successful milestone to develop and field long-range, GPS-precise gun munitions for our fleet," said Navy Rear Adm. Charles Hamilton, the program executive officer for ships. "The success of LRLAP is vital to our efforts to deliver DD(X) to the fleet as planned. Each one of these shots brings us closer to that goal."

"The successful completion of this flight is a historic event and further validates the maturity of the AGS," said Brian Cuccias, Northrop Grumman vice president and DD(X) program manager. "We have an advanced system that continues to perform and I am proud to witness the very real, unmatched precision and range that the LRLAP brings to our forces ashore."

United Defense Industries awarded Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control -� Orlando, the contract to develop LRLAP for the AGS. The objective of the GF-04 test was to demonstrate controlled, stable flight and maneuverability of the tactical 155mm LRLAP through all aerodynamic flight regimes.

"The DD(X) development team, both in the Navy and industry, continues to make major strides to demonstrate critical new capabilities such as LRLAP for DD(X)," according to Navy Capt. Charles Goddard, the DD(X) program manger. "Our rigorous development and test program is focused using prototype systems to fully evaluate and mature these technologies for DD(X) and other future ships."

"The LRLAP is the longest-range guided projectile in U.S. history," said Navy Capt. James Murdoch, Program Executive Office Integrated Warfare Systems (PEO IWS), 3C. "Its range, accuracy, and lethality will give the DD(X) the capability to support military operations in coastal areas with devastating force and minimal collateral damage."

"This latest test is a significant milestone proving the capability of LRLAP to provide long-range, land-attack fire support from the Navy's DD(X)," said Jim Schoppenhorst, program director for DD(X) at United Defense. "The United Defense and Lockheed Martin team continues to progress on schedule to provide precision, all weather fire support to forces ashore."

With consecutive, successful guided flight tests, the LRLAP has proven to be a reliable, maturing system. These tests have repeatedly demonstrated the integrity of the airframe structure, proper deployment of tailfins and canards, rocket performance, GPS acquisition and navigation and controlled, stable flight. The LRLAP is proceeding on budget and schedule into final system development and qualification.

"LRLAP builds on a long legacy of proven performance in guided projectiles here at Lockheed Martin," said Stan Arthur, president of Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control in Orlando. "Guiding successfully to a precision strike 60 nautical miles away is a huge challenge. By meeting that challenge, the team has brought DD(X) closer to the warfighters who need it."

In addition to United Defense Industries and Lockheed Martin leadership, the LRLAP development is being supported by Science Applications International Corporation, Custom Analytical Engineering, Alliant Techsystems (ATK), Goodrich, and Honeywell.

The National Team, which includes more than 100 U.S. companies from 45 states, understands the importance of the rapidly maturing DD(X) program to our nation, and is proud of the historic role this vessel will play in the advancement of ship � and ship systems �- design.

The DD(X) National Team has successfully completed nearly a dozen incremental review milestones, highlighting its commitment to staying on schedule and on cost, as well as the extraordinary maturity and discipline of the program's approach to integrating unprecedented advanced technologies into the platform.

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