Lightweight Multirole Missile

The Lightweight Multirole Missile (LMM) (previously known as FASGW(L)) is a lightweight air-to-surface and surface-to-surface missile under development by Thales Air Defence for the United Kingdom. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has placed an initial order for 1,000 missiles and deliveries are due to start in 2013.

History
LMM was initially conceived as Thales' response to the MoD's Future Air-to-Surface Guided Weapon (Light) FASGW(L) requirement. LMM has been designed to be launched from a variety of naval, air and land platforms against a wide range of targets. High precision reduces collateral damage and makes the missile suitable for asymmetric littoral operations. Development began in 2008 and the LMM uses technology from an earlier Thales missile, the Starstreak. Qualification testing and initial production commenced in late 2011, following an initial contract by the UK Ministry of Defence in April 2011. Thales has conducted successful guidance control firings, including a semi-active laser (SAL) version.

The MoD contract includes the design, development and qualification of a laser beam rider version of LMM, together with production of an initial quantity of 1,000 missiles. These will be operated from the new Lynx Wildcat and Thales graphics have shown helicopters carrying twin 7 round launchers. These are due to enter service in 2015. The contract was funded by a deal to "re-role previously contracted budgets to facilitate the full-scale development, series production and introduction of the LMM." In other words other contract(s) were cut and the funds switched to paying for LMM. The most likely contract affected is for the Starstreak, which is approaching the end of its term.

Thales have test-fired an LMM from a Schiebel Camcopter S-100, demonstrating a potential for use from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Description
LMM is intended to provide a single family of weapons to take on a variety of roles, including:


 * Maritime – LMM will be carried on the new Lynx Wildcat helicopters of the Royal Navy for use against small surface vessels. ASELSAN of Turkey developed dedicated mounting systems, which can also enable the LMM to be launched from naval platforms such as Fast Attack Craft (FAC).
 * Surface-To-Surface – The dual-effect (blast fragmentation and shaped charge) of the LMM's warhead makes it suitable for a wide range of ground targets including light/medium armour.
 * Air-Launched – The missile modular design allows for future development and introduction of alternative warheads and seekers.

The initial order of LMMs use laser beam riding with infrared terminal homing and a Laser proximity sensor, although a semi-active laser version is under development for precision strike surface attack roles.

Operators
- 1,000 missiles on order (Expected in-service 2015)