Martlet (missile)
Laser-guided battlefield missile (ASM, AAM, SAM and SSM) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Martlet or the Lightweight Multirole Missile (LMM) is a lightweight air-to-surface, air-to-air, surface-to-air, and surface-to-surface missile developed by Thales Air Defence for the United Kingdom. It is named after a mythical bird from English heraldry that never roosts, the Martlet.[2]
| Lightweight Multirole Missile Martlet | |
|---|---|
 A Royal Navy Wildcat helicopter equipped with Martlet missiles. | |
| Type | Laser-guided battlefield missile (ASM, AAM, SAM and SSM) |
| Place of origin | United Kingdom |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2021; full operating capability with the Royal Navy projected for 2025 |
| Used by | |
| Wars | Russo-Ukrainian War |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Thales Air Defence |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 13 kg (29 lb) |
| Length | 1.3 m (4 ft 3 in) |
| Diameter | 76 mm (3.0 in) |
| Wingspan | 260 mm (10 in) |
| Warhead | HE blast fragmentation, shaped charge |
| Warhead weight | 3 kg (6.6 lb) |
Detonation mechanism | Laser, proximity (active) |
| Propellant | 2-stage, solid propellant |
Operational range | 8 km (4.3 nmi; 5.0 mi) |
| Maximum speed | > Mach 1.5 (510 m/s; 1,670 ft/s) |
Guidance system | |
Launch platform | Jackal Drone |
| References | Janes[1] |
The LMM was developed from the Starburst surface-to-air missile to meet the UK's "Future Air-to-Surface Guided Weapon (Light)" requirement to equip the Royal Navy's AW159 Wildcat helicopters and supplement the heavier Sea Venom missile by the engagement of smaller and manurable naval craft.[3][4]
A glide variant of the LMM known as FreeFall LMM (FFLMM) or Fury is designed as a lighter munition to equip drones and is currently slated to equip the British Army's Dispensing Rocket Payload for the GMLRS-ER and Precision Strike Missile (PrSM).[5]
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) placed an initial order for 1,000 missiles with deliveries due to start in 2013.[6] However, initial operating capability was considerably delayed and took place in 2021 with full operating capability now only anticipated in 2025.[7][8][3]