Lockheed Martin has its sights set on breaking Raytheon's current monopoly on the US air-to-air missile market with their bid to sell the hi-tech Israeli-designed Python-4 missile to the US Air National Guard.
'TJ' Klungseth, international business development manager for Lockheed Martin's Missile and Fire Control division, says the Air Guard is interested in the missile because of its high off-bore sight capability .
"They have a budget to hold tests which will be open to all comers," says Klungseth.
The contest has raised eyebrows in the guided weapon industry because of the US Air Force and Navy's long term commitment to the AIM-9X weapon being developed by US missile giant Raytheon. The Matra BAe Dynamics offer last week to supply the Meteor beyond visual range missile to the US, through their link-up with Boeing, indicated Raytheon will face more challengers in its home market.
Klungseth is not impressed by Raytheon's new missile and expressed sceptism about its ability to have a weapon ready in time to take part in the Air Guard's tests. "The only rival is the Matra BAe Dynamics Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM)."
Dogfighting
The Python is a fourth generation high off-boresight short-range missile that is optimised for dogfighting and has been in service with the Israeli Air Force since 1993. It is often used in conjunction with a helmet-mounted sight.
If an order is secured from the Air Guard, a production site will be set up in the US.
Klungseth says a number of foreign customers of US made fighter aircraft are keen to adopt the Python 4. "They have a desire for a US company and the US government to have the weapon on a US-made platform. Having Lockheed Martin involved would be an additional incentive."
Source: Flight Daily News
