The technology maturation phase covers tests of missile components to ensure that the LRPF platform is ready to enter the manufacturing development and engineering stage as well as start live-fire tests by the end of 2019, Raytheon said Monday.
Thomas Bussing, vice president of advanced missile systems product line at Raytheon, said LRPF seeks to provide troops overmatch capability against potential enemies on the battlefield.
Raytheons DeepStrike is an LRPF surface-to-surface weapon system designed to replace the service branchs tactical missile platform and counter ground-based fixed targets at a distance of up to 310 miles.
LRPF works to fire two missiles through a single weapons pod and can be combined with M142 HIMARS and M270 MLRS rocket launchers.