Farnborough International AirShow 2014
International Aviation & Aerospace defence exhibition
14 - 20 July 2014
Farnborough , United Kingdom
 
 
Thales FFLMM at Farnborough AirShow 2014
 
 
Thales unveiled the new FreeFall Lightweight Multi-role Missile (FFLMM) at Farnborough 2014
 
Thales unveiled a new precision-guided air dropped munition, the FreeFall Lightweight Multi-role Missile (FFLMM) during the Farnborough International Airshow 2014. The FFLMM is a precision-guided glide munition. It contains the same sophisticated warhead as Thales's existing LMM, but is approximately half the size and weight because it does not incorporate a rocket motor. This also means there is no launch recoil or adverse impact on the platform, making it ideal for lightweight air platforms such as UAVs or COIN aircraft.
     
Thales unveiled a new precision-guided air dropped munition, the FreeFall Lightweight Multi-role Missile (FFLMM) during the Farnborough International Airshow 2014. The FFLMM is a precision-guided glide munition. It contains the same sophisticated warhead as Thales's existing LMM, but is approximately half the size and weight because it does not incorporate a rocket motor.
Thales FFLMM on a Britten Norman airfract at Farnborough 2014
     
Thales is the first European manufacturer to successfully demonstrate the delivery of a weapon of this type from a tactical UAS platform. In a series of trials over the last year the company has proven the extremely low impact that the weapon and its stores release unit has on the performance and endurance of such a lightweight platform.

FFLMM provides precise, proportionate effects in time-critical, network-centric CAS and Armed ISTAR missions against both fixed and moving targets. As these missions frequently require lower cost, lightweight platforms, there is an increasing need for suitable lightweight but effective weapons. FFLMM fills the emerging gap in the global weapons market for a highly-effective, accurate, low-collateral-damage weapon - one that is effective against all static and moving, conventional and asymmetric threats in both open and cluttered environments.
     
Thales unveiled a new precision-guided air dropped munition, the FreeFall Lightweight Multi-role Missile (FFLMM) during the Farnborough International Airshow 2014. The FFLMM is a precision-guided glide munition. It contains the same sophisticated warhead as Thales's existing LMM, but is approximately half the size and weight because it does not incorporate a rocket motor.
3x Thales FFLMM on a single pylon fitted on an AT-6 aircraft at Farnborough 2014
     
The use of existing LMM modular building blocks produces a weapon that can be easily integrated on multiple manned and unmanned aircraft systems. Lightweight platforms, particularly UAS, require payloads that generate a minimal impact on their aerodynamic performance and endurance. With a length of 700mm and mass of less than 6 kg, the low-drag FFLMM munition fulfills these challenging requirements.

FFLMM employs sophisticated Inertial Navigation and GPS subsystems, which together with terminal guidance provided by a state-of-the-art Semi Active Laser seeker, achieves extremely accurate and safe man-in-the-loop targeting.