Lockheed Martin plans to flight test a prototype of its Top Cover loitering cruise missile within the next six months, with development of a new autopilot now at an advanced stage. “We expect to fly it between now and the end of the third quarter of 2006,” Lockheed said at the show. The airframe design for the Top Cover demonstrator is now complete.
The air-launched, forward-swept wing Top Cover demonstrator is intended to have an endurance of more than 24h at altitudes of around 5,000ft (1,500m). The vehicle is intended to be capable of operating as a cruise missile, lethal unmanned air vehicle, or disposable surveillance UAV. Lockheed said that the weapon is planned to be capable of engaging moving as well as static targets.
Lockheed is self-funding its development as a candidate for the US Air Force Research Laboratory’s Area Dominance Programme advanced concept technology demonstration programme. Lockheed is also continuing to refine its surveilling miniature attack cruise missile demonstrator.
Source: Flight International
