Northrop Grumman targets â??technology gapâ?? with TLM

Northrop Grumman has announced the successful demonstration of its new Target Location Module (TLM), a ‘key component’ of the man-portable Lightweight Laser Designator Rangefinder High Accuracy (LLDR 2H). The company made the announcement 17 May, 2012.

The company demonstrated the LLDR 2H at the White Sands Missile Range in support of the Stockpile Reliability Test programme. LLDR 2H allows troops to ‘perform surveillance, identify and engage threats at safe distances, accurately position troops, and engage enemies while limiting collateral damage and protecting troops being transported within hostile areas’.

During the demonstration, the LLDR 2H successfully acquired the locations of two separate tank-size targets from extended ranges from the observation post. According to the company, the targeting module reported grids commensurate with accuracies required for GPS guided munitions. The two Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missiles used the location data to score direct hits on both targets, demonstrating the high accuracy of the TLM.

According to General Dynamics, the LLDR 2H will address ‘a technology gap that exists today within the US Army’.

Gordon Stewart, vice president and general manager of the laser systems business unit, said, ‘Our hybrid sensor solution fuses data from a digital magnetic compass and celestial navigation sensors to provide highly accurate azimuth solutions supporting precise target location. The TLM delivers a near instant-on azimuth solution, is not susceptible to magnetic anomalies and requires no calibration.’

Northrop Grumman is producing the LLDR 2H under the terms of an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract with a not-to-exceed value of $661 million. Production deliveries will begin in August 2012 and will continue through June 2013.