News Review: BAE Systems completes tests on 5-inch LRLAP | ADM Nov 2010

BAE Systems has conducted a successful rocket ballistic flight test of its five-inch Long Range Land Attack Projectile at Dugway Proving Ground in Utah.

The five-inch LRLAP is designed to allow surface ships to strike shore-based targets at ranges that exceed 50 nautical miles.

Employing a tactically configured airframe propelled by a rocket motor, the rocket ballistic test met all predicted performance parameters during its flight.

Coupled with previous component and subsystem testing, this successful test sets the stage for planned guided flight demonstrations of the five-inch LRLAP.

The five-inch LRLAP is a GPS-guided projectile being developed for the MK 45 Mod 2 and 4 naval guns on board Arleigh Burke-class destroyers and Ticonderoga-class cruisers within the US Navy fleet, and various MK 45 guns in allied fleets around the world, including Australia.

This internal research and development project is run jointly by BAE Systems, Lockheed Martin and SAIC. Additionally, a saboted variant of the munition is being developed for 155mm artillery howitzers employed by the US Army and US Marine Corps.

Further tests of the five-inch LRLAP will follow in the upcoming months.