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28 May 08. Lockheed Martin launched the first Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) rockets from a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) wheeled vehicle launcher using the new Universal Fire Control System (UFCS) during a recent test at White Sands Missile Range, NM. Four GMLRS rockets flew a pre-planned trajectory and successfully engaged their targets. The UFCS is an evolutionary block upgrade of the MLRS Fire Control System that provides Warfighters the capability to fire GMLRS munitions that incorporate anti-jamming technology. The upgrade enhances reliability, mitigates obsolescence and reduces the sustainment cost of current systems. “The UFCS is now a demonstrated, cost-effective solution that will improve the reliability and extend the life of the MLRS family of rockets and launchers,” said Jim Gribschaw, director of Precision Fires at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “This new capability will enable more Warfighters to have the dependable, long-range precision of the GMLRS at their command.” Deliveries of UFCS, which recently completed its Development and Qualification Program, have commenced under the HIMARS Full-Rate Production program. In March, Lockheed Martin also launched an ATACMS missile from a HIMARS equipped with UFCS.
05 Jun 08. LDRA has enhanced the capabilities of the LDRA tool suite to comply with the released version of the MISRA C++:2008 standard from the Motor Industry Software Reliability Association (MISRA). Although a standard directed by the automotive industry, MISRA has gained widespread acceptance in other vertical markets such as rail, aerospace, military, and medical sectors. LDRA’s rapid adoption of this platform demonstrates the company’s commitment to ensure their clients are able to comply fully with the latest standards and certifications. MISRA represents a collaboration between automotive manufacturers, component suppliers and engineering consultancies which seeks to promote best practice and commonality in the development of safety-related automotive electronic and other embedded systems through the publication of standard guidelines. Since its launch, the success of MISRA C as a “best practice” solution has not only seen its application spread throughout the worldwide automotive industry, but it has also been increasingly adopted for safety-related and safety-critical software development projects and applications in a wide variety of industries. With the success of the MISRA C standard, a MISRA C++ working group was established in 2005 to create similar guidelines for the C++ programming language. The MISRA C++:2008 subset is suitable for use in critical systems.
02 Jun 08. Thales UK has taken the wraps off its precision-guided Lightweight Multi-role Missile (LMM), intended to compete in the low-cost weapon market traditionally dominated by the Chinese, Russians and others. The company’s Belfast-based Air Systems Division has test-fired the LMM from vehicles and aircraft, including a rotor-wing unmanned air vehicle, and says it is on course to get the weapon in service by 2011. Air Systems, which made its mark building very-short-range air-defense missiles such as the hypervelocity Starstreak and the Starburst, included their tail assembly and other components in the new weapon. The firm has spent nearly £2m ($3.9m) of its own money on development. The 1.3-meter missile, which will have a range of eight kilometres, will be pitched for use on armored vehicles, although not tanks; unmanned air vehicles, fast attack craft and static installations, said Air Systems managing director Steve Hill. Hill said the weapon’s export sales will be crucial to Thales’ missile business in the United Kingdom. He said the LMM is an attempt to change the company’s reputation for building bespoke weapons for the British local market that are difficult to market overseas. (Source: Defense