Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control - Dallas has received a Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP-4) contract for 66 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) M270A1 launchers. The contract value is $119.5 million.

The U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM) is the contracting agency. Delivery of the launchers is expected to be completed in calendar year '04.

The MLRS M270A1 launcher incorporates a variety of enhancements to the MLRS M270 launcher, including a new Improved Fire Control System (IFCS) and Improved Launcher Mechanical System (ILMS).

The IFCS and ILMS programs merged in 1998 into the M270A1 program. The IFCS upgrade includes a new fire control panel with video, a full keyboard, a mass storage device and GPS navigation. With distributed multi-processor technology incorporated, the IFCS will be able to process large blocks of data from new smart munitions within tactical timelines. Operating and maintenance costs will be reduced up to 38 percent because of greater reliability and ease of repair on IFCS parts. The IFCS upgrade also supports the Army's Corps digitization requirements, and will allow for future MLRS growth options.

ILMS dramatically reduces the time needed to aim and reload the launcher. In a typical fire mission, the ILMS-equipped launcher is six times faster than the current M270 launcher. Reload time is decreased by more than 30 percent. Crew and launcher survivability will be greatly enhanced because total exposure time on the battlefield will be significantly reduced.

The original LRIP contract for 21 M270A1s was awarded in 1998, with a follow-on LRIP-2 contract for 24 launchers in 1999. The first M270A1 launcher was delivered to the Army in May 2000. The Army will equip its first active unit with M270A1s in September 2001

MLRS is the world's most formidable rocket and missile artillery system. Its surface-to-surface ballistic rockets have a range of 28 miles (45 kilometers). A single MLRS launcher can put more than two tons of destructive firepower on a target in one minute and its full load of 12 rockets can cover 30 to 60 acres with thousands of grenade-like submunitions. Each of the submunitions in an MLRS rocket has about the same destructive power as a hand grenade and contains a shaped charge that allows it to penetrate light armor.

MLRS launchers and rockets are now in the inventories of France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, the Netherlands, Bahrain, Japan, Norway, Denmark, South Korea, Israel, Turkey and Greece.

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