RESPONSIBLE SPEED
through a family of long-, medium- and short-range unmanned systems designed to be deployed from the ground and air.
Te LRPM MTA-RP commenced with responsible speed in July 2024, follow- ing a series of acquisition shaping panels and a program initiation brief to the Hon. Douglas R. Bush, then assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology (ASA(ALT)) and the Army Acquisition Executive (AAE). Bush desig- nated LRPM as an MTA-RP program and charged the Program Executive Office for Missiles and Space (PEO MS) with deci- sion authority and developing, procuring and testing this new lethal munition concept.
Te MTA pathway provides a unique opportunity to fast-track LRPM prototyp- ing and integrating emerging technologies. The MTA-RP framework minimizes bureaucratic hurdles, enables agile deci- sion-making and supports operational employment quickly. By rapidly prototyp- ing and demonstrating the capability in an operational environment, the Army can make an informed decision on the suitabil- ity of the materiel solution. A prescribed five-year MTA authority ensures accel- erated timelines to assess solutions to immediate capability gaps, while simul- taneously providing insights for further refinement on subsequent variants and iterations.
EXECUTING RESPONSIBLE SPEED In December 2024, the LRPM MTA-RP Decision Authority, Maj. Gen. Frank J. Lozano, PEO MS, established the baseline LRPM hardware configuration comprised of an Anduril Altius A700M air-vehicle and multiple science and technology (S&T) initiatives from the Army Combat Capabilities Development Command’s (DEVCOM) Aviation and Missile Center
64 Army AL&T Magazine Spring 2025
(AvMC). Te DEVCOM AvMC S&T initiatives included in the LRPM are the Multiple Simultaneous Engagement Technologies and Precision Target Acquisition Seeker software capabilities, a seeker and guidance section collectively developed
by Hood Technology
Corporation and DEVCOM AvMC and a DEVCOM AvMC-developed combined effects warhead. Tis configuration of the LRPM will undergo safety and suitability testing and be employed in follow-on ground and air-based operational demonstrations to inform production and deployment decisions.
In keeping with the themes of “responsible speed” and accountability, agile develop- ment and foundations for transition, there are various examples of functional appli- cation in the LRPM MTA-R.
ADAPTING TO RESPONSIVE REQUIREMENTS An Abbreviated Capability Development Document (A-CDD) is a streamlined version of the traditional Capabilities Development Document that outlines essential performance requirements, operational needs and intended use of a system or capability in a concise manner. Tis abbreviated structure allows flexibility among the requirements, user and materiel developer communities to achieve a desired capability quickly, while informing the requirements community of what is possible. The A-CDD supporting the LRPM program is in evolution as lessons learned from ongoing conflicts improve understanding of what is necessary to develop a combat-effective system on a modern battlefield.
Tere is a natural conflict between an evolving A-CDD responding to battlefield realities and the stringent requirements necessary to place explosive munitions in the hands of Soldiers. Qualifying and
testing a munition requires extensive and often sequential tests to ensure safety and reliability. In addition to ensuring safety validation requirements, LRPM is responsible for integrating emerging tech- nologies to address the demands of the evolving battlespace. However, adoption of these technologies introduces risks to cost, schedule and performance. A criti- cal aspect of this process is determining when to execute a branch plan to mitigate risk associated with long-lead requirements and ensure timely delivery of the LRPM to operational units.
“GOOD IDEA CUT-OFF” POINTS Te LRPM program must have a plan to integrate (or defer to a future LRPM version) the capabilities being developed for the LE enterprise (e.g., a multi-use air and ground launcher solution and a universal command and control system). Lozano directed the program to identify “good idea cut-off” (GICO) points. Essen- tially, to meet the constraints of the MTA timeline, the LRPM program must have off-ramps and alternatives if any of the LE-enabling capabilities are not mature enough to support the LRPM timeline. Te LRPM program backward planned from mandated operational demonstra- tion dates to identify the “no later than” points, which the LRPM must have access to properly incorporate and test.
Te resultant product is a programmatic plan that incorporates GICO decision points with alternate paths to successfully execute. Te program maintains active stakeholder engagement to understand the planned inclusion of emerging technolo- gies and LRPM’s plan to incorporate the technologies in a future version. Active, transparent communication with stake- holders on current program status falls in the box of “must do” to achieve and main- tain responsible speed.
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