Compact Kinetic Energy Missile

The Compact Kinetic Energy Missile (CKEM) is a developmental program to produce a hypersonic anti-tank guided missile for the U.S. Army. Lockheed Martin is the primary contractor. The program is the third in a series of projects based on kinetic energy missiles that stretches back to 1981s Vought HVM through the 1990s LOSAT and finally to the CKEM. The Army Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM) is developing this program as part of the Army's Future Combat Systems. This missile is primarily an anti-tank weapon, and can be mounted on land vehicles and low-altitude aircraft. The goal of these weapons is to demonstrate a state-of-the-art system for the next-generation.

Specifications

• Length: 1.5 m
• Motor: Solid-fuel rocket
• Max range: 10 000 m
• Max weight: 45 kg
• Velocity: 6.5+ Mach
• Warhead: Kinetic energy penetrator
• Penetrator energy: 10 MJ

Program status

• October 2003 – Lockheed Martin receives $21.3 million contract for CKEM Advanced Technology Demonstration (ATD) phase.^[1]
• September 2006 – The CKEM was successfully flight tested against a reinforced urban structure.^[2]
• February 2007 – A T-72 tank equipped with Explosive Reactive Armor was successfully engaged using CKEM at a range of 3400 meters. The test took place at Eglin Air Force Base, FL.^[3]

References

1. ^ Lockheed Marting Receives US$21 Million Compact Kinetic Energy Missile Contract — LM press release.
2. ^ Lockheed Martin’s Compact Kinetic Energy Missle Succeßful in Flight Test Agains Reinforced Urban Structure — LM press release.
3. ^ Lockheed Martin’s Compact Kinetic Energy Missile Succeßful in Final Flight Test — LM press release.

• Global Security

External links

• Compact Kinetic Energy Missile, Lockheed Martin, http://www.lockheedmartin.com/products/CompactKineticEnergyMissile/ 
• Lockheed Martin CKEM — Designation Systems
• Compact Kinetic Energy Missile (CKEM) — Global Security
• CKEM — Deagel
• Compact Kinetic Energy Missile CKEM — Defense Update