| Lightweight Multirole Missile Martlet | |
|---|---|
&sq=&lang=&file=File:AW159_Wildcat_equipped_with_Martlet_missiles.jpg) A Royal Navy Wildcat helicopter equipped with Martlet missiles. | |
| Type | Laser-guided battlefield missile (ASM, AAM, SAM and SSM) |
| Place of origin | United Kingdom |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2021; full operating capability with the Royal Navy projected for 2025 |
| Used by | |
| Wars | Russo-Ukrainian War |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Thales Air Defence |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 13 kg (29 lb) |
| Length | 1.3 m (4 ft 3 in) |
| Diameter | 76 mm (3.0 in) |
| Wingspan | 260 mm (10 in) |
| Warhead | HE blast fragmentation, shaped charge |
| Warhead weight | 3 kg (6.6 lb) |
Detonation mechanism | Laser, proximity (active) |
| Propellant | 2-stage, solid propellant |
Operational range | 8 km (4.3 nmi; 5.0 mi) |
| Maximum speed | > Mach 1.5 (510 m/s; 1,670 ft/s) |
Guidance system | |
Launch platform | Jackal drone (UK) (under development) |
| References | Janes[1] |
Martlet or the Lightweight Multirole Missile (LMM) is a lightweight air-to-surface, air-to-air, surface-to-air, and surface-to-surface missile developed by Thales Air Defence for the United Kingdom. It is named after a mythical bird from English heraldry that never roosts, the Martlet.[2]
The LMM was developed from the Starburst surface-to-air missile to meet the UK's "Future Air-to-Surface Guided Weapon (Light)" requirement to equip the Royal Navy's AW159 Wildcat helicopters and supplement the heavier Sea Venom missile by the engagement of smaller and manoeuvrable naval craft.[3][4]
A glide variant of the LMM known as FreeFall LMM (FFLMM) or Fury is designed as a lighter munition to equip drones and is currently slated to equip the British Army's Dispensing Rocket Payload for the GMLRS-ER and Precision Strike Missile (PrSM).[5]
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) placed an initial order for 1,000 missiles with deliveries due to start in 2013.[6] However, initial operating capability was considerably delayed and took place in 2021 with full operating capability now only anticipated in 2025.[7][8][3]
- ^ Janes (23 November 2022), "Lightweight Multirole Missile (LMM)", Janes Weapons: Air Launched, Coulsdon, Surrey: Jane's Group UK Limited, retrieved 2 January 2023
- ^ Type 26 Global Combat Ship (PDF), Ministry of Defence, 9 October 2014, p. 3, retrieved 24 November 2014
- ^ a b "The Martlet missile – the Wildcat helicopter gets its claws | Navy Lookout". 15 June 2020.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
:1was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
:2was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Britain orders 1,000 Thales LMM missiles". UPI.
- ^ Allison, George (23 July 2023). "Martlet achieves progress in operating capabilities". UK Defence Journal.
- ^ In focus: the Wildcat multi role helicopter in service with the Royal Navy, savetheroyalnavy.org, 4 February 2019