Lethal Miniature Aerial Munition System (LMAMS) is a program to develop a small surface-to-surface missile based on mini-UAV technology. The program was initiated by the US Special Operations Command but was being managed by the US Air Force's Rapid Acquisition Cell at Eglin AFB. In December 2010, Aer-oVironment, IATech and Textron Defense were awarded small demonstration contracts for their concepts. Trials were conducted in 2011, but plans to initiate the development program in 2012 were delayed. In 2012, the US Army funded the acquisition of 75 AeroVironment Switchblades for operational deployment in Afghanistan, with a reported cost of around $10 million. They were first used operationally in Afghanistan in February 2013. The Army issued another RFI in November 2013 and stated that it expected to make a down-select to two or more competitors in FY16 at which point a more formal program may commence. The Army's FY17 budget includes a funding request for 10 systems and 50 unarmed munitions, but does not include further funding in the subsequent years.
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