Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control -- Dallas has received a $2.2 million contract from the U.S. Navy to demonstrate a Solid Fuel Ramjet Missile.

The Solid Fuel Ramjet Missile Technology program will demonstrate solid fuel ramjet and low-cost carbon-carbon technologies for hypersonic weapons applications. This 18-month program will develop a ramjet propulsion system using an airbreathing solid fuel combined with carbon-carbon structural components.

The combustion portion of the program will demonstrate a solid fuel driven combustor and nozzle. The structural portion of the program will include definition and demonstration of advanced low-cost carbon-carbon material processing for high temperature missile structural use. These areas will be pursued in design, fabrication and testing during the course of the program.

The combination of Solid Fuel Ramjet propulsion and low cost carbon-carbon airframes offers the potential for substantial cost saving over other approaches at high speeds. The Solid Fuel Ramjet Missile Technology program, combined with the proposed follow-on high Mach number testing, provides the basis for propulsion and materials studies for low-cost, high-speed Naval weapons.

Located in Dallas, Tex.; Orlando, Fla.; and Sunnyvale, Calif., Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control develops, manufactures and supports advanced combat, missile, rocket and space systems. The company is organized in seven program/mission areas: Strike Weapons, Air Defense, Anti-Armor, Naval Munitions, Fire Control and Sensors, Fire Support and Product Development.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global enterprise principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced-technology systems, products and services. The Corporation's core businesses are systems integration, space, aeronautics, and technology services.

For additional information on Lockheed Martin, visit http://www.lockheedmartin.com/.

SOURCE: Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control - Dallas