Lockheed Discloses Affordable Cruise Missile Platform Named 'Truck' and Successful Flight Demonstrations
The Common Multi-Mission Truck (CMMT), developed by Lockheed Martin, is revolutionising the way the military approaches strike capacity. This innovative system, consisting of two main variants - the CMMT-D and the CMMT-X - is designed to provide flexible and affordable solutions for various military needs.
The CMMT-D, or Demonstrator, is an unpowered glide vehicle, ideal for vertical or pallet launch, such as from cargo aircraft using the U.S. Air Force's Rapid Dragon technique. With a range of approximately 500 nautical miles and a unit cost of around $150,000 - about 10 times less expensive than Lockheed's AGM-158 JASSM cruise missile - the CMMT-D offers a cost-effective solution for strike operations. In May 2025, the CMMT-D was successfully tested when dropped from a Rapid Dragon pallet at 14,500 ft, deploying its wings and gliding safely without engine power[1][2][3][4].
On the other hand, the CMMT-X, the experimental X-plane variant, is a smaller, powered missile launched from typical aircraft pylons, offering greater range and operational flexibility. It features folding wings and can initiate powered flight immediately after launch. The CMMT-X made its first flight in June 2025, demonstrating airborne deployment capability[1][2][4].
Both versions were designed and tested within about a year, showcasing Lockheed's rapid development pace to meet the military's broad requirement for low-cost standoff munitions compatible with various launch platforms. The CMMT family differs from the U.S. Air Force's Family of Affordable Mass Missiles (FAMM) concept primarily in platform and launch method flexibility as well as cost. While FAMM focuses on mass-producing affordable missiles, the CMMT's modular "truck" concept emphasises adaptable and scalable payload delivery, including options like pallet, vertical, and pylon launches for different mission needs[1][2].
In summary:
- CMMT-D: Unpowered glide vehicle; launched from Rapid Dragon pallets on cargo planes; ~500 nm range; very low unit cost (~$150K); tested May 2025.
- CMMT-X: Powered missile; pylon-launched from fighter or bomber aircraft; offers greater range/flexibility; first flight June 2025.
- Both designed for modularity, affordability, and mass deployment to enhance USAF strike capabilities.
- Compared with FAMM, CMMT emphasises multi-platform launch versatility and low-cost scalable production.
These innovations reflect an evolving US strategy to field a diverse arsenal of standoff weapons combining affordability, volume, and broad operational deployment. The flight-tested design and developed architecture of the CMMTs could be quickly adapted for low-cost Collaborative Combat Aircraft applications, should the requirements move forward.
[1] Lockheed Martin Press Release, [Date]. [2] U.S. Air Force Press Release, [Date]. [3] Defense News, [Article Title], [Date]. [4] Flightglobal, [Article Title], [Date].
- The Pentagon is considering the adoption of the Common Multi-Mission Truck (CMMT), a system developed by Lockheed Martin, as it revolutionizes military warfare with its cost-effective strike capabilities.
- During the testing phase in May 2025, the CMMT-D, an unpowered glide vehicle, demonstrated successful deployment from a Rapid Dragon pallet carried by a cargo aircraft.
- The CMMT-X, a powered missile launched from typical aircraft pylons, made its first flight in June 2025, showcasing airborne deployment capability.
- As military technology continues to advance, both versions of the CMMT are designed to offer military forces an array of flexible and affordable solutions for various strike operations.
- The development of the CMMT family aligns with the US Space Force's strategy of fielding a diverse arsenal for space and air warfare, with the potential to be adapted for Collaborative Combat Aircraft applications in the future.
