Project Could Be Worth $100 Million

EDO has been chosen by Lockheed-Martin to design and develop fixed-wing, dual missile launchers for the Joint Common Missile (JCM) on F/A-18E/F aircraft.

EDO said it has received a letter contract, valued at $1.9 million, authorizing start-up work under Phase 1 of the project. Phase 1 includes delivery of two developmental rail launchers. The potential value to EDO over the anticipated life of the JCM program is expected to be more than $100 million.

"Aircraft-armament products are a core component of our growth strategy," said James M. Smith, EDO's chief executive officer. "The JCM program will add to our leading position in providing weapon-release systems on nearly all US fighter aircraft in current production, as well as the future F-35 Joint Strike Fighter."

The dual launchers, with associated electronics, can be mounted on EDO's BRU-55 "smart rack", thereby enabling four missiles to be loaded on a single weapon station. This configuration has already been successfully demonstrated by the Lockheed Martin/EDO team earlier this year at the Naval Air Weapons Station in China Lake (CA). This demonstration significantly reduces future integration risk.

The BRU-55 advanced electronics provide MIL-STD-1760 interfaces to the smart weapons carried on the rack. The electronic interface, designed and developed by EDO, enables flight and targeting data to be transferred individually to each missile immediately prior to release.

FMI: www.edocorp.com