[7][8][3] The Lightweight Multirole Missile was initially conceived as Thales' response to the MoD's FASGW(L) or Future Air-to-Surface Guided Weapon (Light) requirement.

[9] Thales submitted a re-designed Starburst missile (the predecessor to Starstreak) which would maintain the use of a laser beam-riding guidance system as means of overcoming the tight rules of engagement present in in-shore waters and ensuring continued effectiveness against low-reflectivity targets.

The MoD contract was for the design, development, and commissioning of a laser beam rider version of LMM, together with production of an initial quantity of 1,000 missiles.

The intended role of the Martlet is to further extend the Type 23 frigate's capabilities against small, fast-moving targets beyond the current 30 mm, general purpose machine gun and Minigun options to provide a long-range "stand-off" ability.

[9][13] LMM and in some cases FFLMM have also been publicly tested by a variety of uncrewed air vehicles (UAVs) including a Schiebel Camcopter S-100, Flyby Technology's Jackal, and the Hydra 400.

A potential role for the Fury could be to arm medium intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) UAVs like the RQ-7 Shadow to deal with fleeting or time-sensitive targets.

[18][19][20] At DSEI 2023, it was shown that the British Army's Dispensing Rocket Payload being developed for the GMLRS-ER and PrSM will utilise a variant of FFLMM as a kinetic effector for use against armoured vehicles alongside Lockheed Martin UK's Outrider UAS for ISTAR.

[5][21][22] In July 2019, the Air Defence Troop of 30 Commando Information Exploitation Group tested LMMs in a surface-to-air mode against Meggitt Banshee target drones.

[25] Following the 2022 Russian Invasion of Ukraine, the UK donated an unknown quantity of Martlet to the Ukrainian Armed Forces as part of a military aid package.

[29] In October, 2022, LMM was successfully fired from Flyby Technology's Jackal drone (capable of carrying two missiles) during trials with the Royal Air Force.