In a market where cruise missiles often carry a seven-figure price tag, Lockheed Martin is betting on a new concept: “affordable mass.”
The Common Multi-Mission Truck (CMMT) was unveiled earlier this month as a modular, multirole cruise missile that could cost $150,000 per unit, or, in other words, about one-tenth (or less) that of a cruise missile today.
For reference, in January 2024, Japan signed a $1.7 billion USD contract for up to 400 Tomahawk Block-IV and Block-V cruise missiles – i.e., $4.25 million USD a missile.
Granted, the Tomahawk Block-IV and Block-V provide ranges exceeding 1,500 km. However, with Lockheed Martin working to achieve a reach of “multiple hundreds of miles,” the CMMT could deliver far more than one would perceive from its price point.
In fact, a reach of even 25% at less than 5% of the cost of the Tomahawk would be a major achievement.
First, the CMMT features a modular design that allows for easy reconfiguration to meet specific mission requirements.
Subsystems such as seekers, payloads, and engines can be swapped out, providing both flexibility and cutting costs associated with custom designs for each mission.
Moreover, its open architecture complies with Weapon Open System Architecture (WOSA) standards, allowing rapid upgrades without vendor lock-in.
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