Leidos touts small cruise missile solution, announces successful test accomplishments
Leidos (NYSE: LDOS) has announced significant progress in its Small Cruise Missile (SCM) program, nicknamed 'Black Arrow'. The SCM has successfully completed captive carry and store safe separation flight tests, paving the way for guided flight tests from a U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command aircraft this fall. The tests, conducted in December 2023, confirmed digital twin predictions and demonstrated integration with the NSWC Battle Management System.
Leidos initiated the SCM design in 2021 and signed a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with U.S. Special Operations Command in 2022. The SCM is designed as a low-cost, service-common, mission-adaptable 'delivery platform' for both kinetic and non-kinetic missions. Leidos is leveraging advanced technologies and practices, including model-based systems engineering and AI optimization, to support the timely and cost-effective development of the SCM.
Leidos (NYSE: LDOS) ha annunciato progressi significativi nel suo programma di Missili da Crociera di Piccole Dimensioni (SCM), soprannominato 'Freccia Nera'. L'SCM ha completato con successo test di volo per trasporto e separazione sicura, aprendo la strada ai test di volo guidato da un aereo del Comando Operazioni Speciali dell'Aeronautica degli Stati Uniti questo autunno. I test, condotti a dicembre 2023, hanno confermato le predizioni del gemello digitale e dimostrato l'integrazione con il Sistema di Gestione delle Battaglie NSWC.
Leidos ha avviato il design dell'SCM nel 2021 e ha firmato un Accordo di Ricerca e Sviluppo Cooperativo con il Comando Operazioni Speciali degli Stati Uniti nel 2022. L'SCM è progettato come una piattaforma di consegna 'adattabile alla missione, a basso costo e comune ai servizi' per missioni cinetiche e non cinetiche. Leidos sta sfruttando tecnologie e pratiche avanzate, tra cui l'ingegneria basata su modelli e l'ottimizzazione AI, per supportare lo sviluppo tempestivo ed economico dell'SCM.
Leidos (NYSE: LDOS) ha anunciado avances significativos en su programa de Misiles de Crucero Pequeños (SCM), apodado 'Flecha Negra'. El SCM ha completado exitosamente pruebas de vuelo de transporte y separación segura, allanando el camino para pruebas de vuelo guiadas desde una aeronave del Comando de Operaciones Especiales de la Fuerza Aérea de EE. UU. este otoño. Las pruebas, realizadas en diciembre de 2023, confirmaron las predicciones del gemelo digital y demostraron la integración con el Sistema de Gestión de Batalla NSWC.
Leidos inició el diseño del SCM en 2021 y firmó un Acuerdo de Investigación y Desarrollo Cooperativo con el Comando de Operaciones Especiales de EE. UU. en 2022. El SCM está diseñado como una plataforma de entrega 'adaptable a la misión, de bajo costo y común a los servicios' para misiones cinéticas y no cinéticas. Leidos está aprovechando tecnologías y prácticas avanzadas, incluyendo ingeniería basada en modelos y optimización de inteligencia artificial, para apoyar el desarrollo oportuno y rentable del SCM.
Leidos (NYSE: LDOS)는 '블랙 애로우'라는 이름의 소형 순항 미사일(SCM) 프로그램에서 중요한 진전을 발표했습니다. SCM은 캡티브 캐리 및 안전 분리 비행 테스트를 성공적으로 완료하여 이번 가을 미국 공군 특별 작전 사령부 항공기로부터 유도 비행 테스트를 진행할 수 있는 길을 열었습니다. 2023년 12월에 실시된 테스트는 디지털 트윈 예측을 확인하고 NSWC 전투 관리 시스템과의 통합을 입증했습니다.
Leidos는 2021년에 SCM 설계를 시작하고 2022년에 미국 특별 작전 사령부와 협력 연구 및 개발 계약을 체결했습니다. SCM은 저비용, 서비스 공통, 임무 적응 가능 '배달 플랫폼'으로 설계되어 있으며, 지상 및 비지상 임무 모두에 사용됩니다. Leidos는 모델 기반 시스템 공학 및 AI 최적화 등 고급 기술과 관행을 활용하여 SCM의 적시 및 비용 효율적인 개발을 지원하고 있습니다.
Leidos (NYSE: LDOS) a annoncé des progrès significatifs dans son programme de Petit Missile de Croisière (SCM), surnommé 'Fleche Noire'. Le SCM a réussi à compléter des tests de vol de transport et de séparation sécurisée, ouvrant la voie à des tests de vol guidés à partir d'un avion du Commandement des Opérations Spéciales de l'Air Force américaine cet automne. Les tests, réalisés en décembre 2023, ont confirmé les prédictions du jumeau numérique et ont démontré l'intégration avec le Système de Gestion des Batailles NSWC.
Leidos a lancé la conception du SCM en 2021 et a signé un Accord de Recherche et de Développement Coopératif avec le Commandement des Opérations Spéciales des États-Unis en 2022. Le SCM est conçu comme une plateforme de livraison 'adaptable à la mission, à faible coût et commune aux services' pour des missions cinétiques et non cinétiques. Leidos utilise des technologies et des pratiques avancées, y compris l'ingénierie basée sur des modèles et l'optimisation par IA, pour soutenir le développement rapide et rentable du SCM.
Leidos (NYSE: LDOS) hat bedeutende Fortschritte in seinem Programm für Kleine Cruise Missiles (SCM) mit dem Spitznamen 'Schwarzer Pfeil' bekannt gegeben. Das SCM hat erfolgreich Trage- und sichere Trennungsflugtests abgeschlossen, was den Weg für geführte Flugtests von einem Flugzeug des U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command in diesem Herbst ebnet. Die im Dezember 2023 durchgeführten Tests bestätigten die Vorhersagen des digitalen Zwillings und demonstrierten die Integration mit dem NSWC Battle Management System.
Leidos begann 2021 mit dem Design des SCM und unterzeichnete 2022 eine Kooperative Forschungs- und Entwicklungsvereinbarung mit dem U.S. Special Operations Command. Das SCM ist als preisgünstige, dienstgemeinschaftliche, missionsanpassbare 'Lieferplattform' für sowohl kinetische als auch nicht-kinetische Missionen konzipiert. Leidos nutzt fortschrittliche Technologien und Methoden, darunter modellbasierte Systems Engineering und KI-Optimierung, um die zeitnahe und kosteneffiziente Entwicklung des SCM zu unterstützen.
- Successful completion of captive carry and store safe separation flight tests for the Small Cruise Missile (SCM)
- Confirmation of digital twin predictions and successful integration with NSWC Battle Management System
- Scheduled guided flight tests from AFSOC aircraft for fall 2024
- Development of a low-cost, service-common, mission-adaptable 'delivery platform'
- Utilization of advanced technologies like model-based systems engineering and AI optimization for cost-effective development
- None.
Insights
The successful testing of Leidos' Small Cruise Missile (SCM) "Black Arrow" represents a significant advancement in affordable stand-off strike capabilities. Key points include:
- Completion of captive carry and store safe separation flight tests
- Confirmation of digital twin predictions
- Demonstration of integration with NSWC Battle Management System
- Planned guided flight tests from AFSOC aircraft this fall
The SCM's development under a CRADA with SOCOM and AFSOC highlights its potential for military adoption. Leidos' approach, leveraging model-based systems engineering and AI optimization, could lead to cost-effective, adaptable missile systems. The modular design and open architecture support rapid upgrades and distributed manufacturing, potentially disrupting traditional defense procurement models.
For investors, this progress positions Leidos competitively in the evolving defense market, particularly in affordable long-range strike solutions. The company's track record with the GBU-69 SGM (over 4,000 units delivered) adds credibility to its capabilities in this domain.
Leidos' Small Cruise Missile (SCM) development aligns with critical trends in modern warfare strategy:
- Emphasis on affordable, adaptable stand-off capabilities
- Integration of AI and digital twin technologies in weapon systems
- Focus on modular designs for rapid upgrades and mission flexibility
The SCM's potential for both kinetic and non-kinetic missions reflects the evolving nature of military operations, where versatility is key. The collaboration with SOCOM and AFSOC indicates strong interest from elite military units, potentially leading to wider adoption across services.
The "affordable mass at long range" concept addresses a important capability gap in current arsenals. If successful, the SCM could provide a significant tactical advantage in various conflict scenarios, enhancing the U.S. military's strike options without the high costs associated with traditional cruise missiles.
For Leidos, this project demonstrates its ability to innovate in a critical defense sector, potentially securing a strong market position in next-generation missile systems.
Store separation testing from an AC-130J, conducted in December 2023, confirmed digital twin predictions of safe separation, benign store dynamics, and trajectory characteristics. Additional captive flight testing demonstrated integration with the NSWC Battle Management System (BMS), operational flight software function, navigation performance, and flight safety system functionality.
Understanding the DOD's critical need for affordable stand-off strike capabilities, Leidos initiated work on the SCM design in 2021. In 2022, a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) was signed between the company and
"Our experience in rapidly fielding the GBU-69 Small Glide Munition (SGM) and demonstrating the DARPA X-61 Gremlins, as well as our focus on agility and innovation, have led to achieving important milestones with our Small Cruise Missile offering," said Mark Miller, Senior Vice President for Missile and Aviation Solutions at Leidos. "We have navigated hurdles and made significant investments to integrate on, and test off, the AC-130J, preparing us to proceed with further activities once the CRADA is complete."
Leidos is leveraging model-based systems engineering, additive manufacturing, and AI optimization practices to support the timely and cost-effective development of the SCM, which aims to provide adaptability and utility for the warfighter. One example is a modular airframe and open system architecture that accommodates distributed manufacturing for individual subsystems, which can then be rapidly assembled and tested separately before final assembly. This approach has been utilized by the company's SGM program, which has delivered over 4,000 units to date.
"Affordable mass at long range is a recognized concept in the strike systems community," Miller said. "Our open architecture SCM solution is intended to integrate the best subsystem solutions, regardless of the source. We believe that recognizing that subsystems and payloads will evolve with different use cases is critical, and that innovation will come from outside typical prime contractors and venture capital companies entering the market with vertically integrated solutions."
About Leidos
Leidos is a Fortune 500® innovation company rapidly addressing the world's most vexing challenges in national security and health. The company's global workforce of 48,000 collaborates to create smarter technology solutions for customers in heavily regulated industries. Headquartered in
Certain statements in this announcement constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the rules and regulations of the
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FAQ
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