Multi-Mission Launcher
The Multi-Mission Launcher is an open-systems architecture multi-role missile launching system created by the United States Army's Aviation and Missile Research, Development, and Engineering Center.
Development
The MML has its roots in the Indirect Fire Protection Capability Increment 2-Intercept program which also included the development of the Miniature Hit-to-Kill Missile. The system is intended to close gaps in the Army's cruise missile, short range air defense and Counter Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar defenses.The MML was developed by the Aviation and Missile Research, Development, and Engineering Center. Unusually, AMRDEC served as the prime integrator instead of a private defense contractor; this lowers R&D costs as well as allowing the Army full ownership of the weapon system's source code and intellectual property which significantly lowers sustainment cost. The MML is the first major development program successfully undertaken by the government industrial base in more than 30 years. The Miniature Hit-to-Kill Missile was developed by Lockheed Martin specifically for the MML. Intended to fill the C-RAM role this approximately and missile fits four to a MML pod. Other missiles considered for MML were Expanded Mission Area Missile, Israeli Tamir and Stunner missiles, and Accelerated Improved Interceptor missile.
Multiple missiles have been integrated and tested with the system. In 2016 FIM-92 Stinger missiles were launched from a single tube MML at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. AIM-9X Sidewinder and AGM-114 Hellfire missiles launched from a FMTV mounted 15 tube MML were tested at the Army's White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. In April 2016, also at White Sands and using the FMTV mounted MML, the Army evaluated the Tamir missile which serves as the interceptor in the Israeli/American Iron Dome System. Raytheon produces a licensed local version of Tamir missile under the name SkyHunter.
By March 2019, the IFPC requirement had been scaled back to focus on cruise missile threats, while C-UAS and C-RAM defense would be handled by other systems; attempting to combine all missions into one system resulted in technical challenges with the payloads and reloading procedures. This allowed the MML to be made larger to accommodate bigger or more missiles. The IFPC will be part of a layered air and missile defense system, with a battery of MMLs attached to each MSHORAD and Patriot missile battalion to handle higher- or lower-end threats. AMRDEC and CMDS will deliver eight MML systems by the end of 2019.
During testing the MML had issues with reloading and the AIM-9X interceptors were prone to overheating.