Martlet (missile)
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.
| 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 |
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.
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).
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) placed an initial order for 1,000 missiles with deliveries due to start in 2013. However, initial operating capability was considerably delayed and took place in 2021 with full operating capability now only anticipated in 2025.