The US Marine Corps conducted the maiden test launch of a new Long Range Precision Fire (LRPF) capability in November, the service announced last week.
An AH-1Z Viper helicopter fired the munition at Yuma Proving Grounds, Arizona.
The launch was conducted through a wireless application called the Marine Air-Ground Tablet (MAGTAB).
The tablet-shaped device enables navigation and communication data exchange for enhanced battlefield situational awareness.
Secret Capability
The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering sponsors the Defense Innovation Acceleration project, led by the Expeditionary Maritime Aviation – Advanced development Team (XMA-ADT).
The project seeks to “evaluate cost-effective, long-range disparate effects in expeditionary and maritime environments.”
No further details of the weapon’s specifications or development timeline have been disclosed.
Moreover, the over three-month delay in announcing the test enhances the project’s secrecy.