DALLAS, April 23 /PRNewswire Interactive News Release/ -- Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control - Dallas successfully conducted the first flight test of an Army Tactical Missile System (Army TACMS) Block IA Unitary Missile.

The test was conducted on Saturday, April 21, at White Sands Missile Range, N.M. Preliminary data suggest that all test objectives were achieved.

The Army TACMS Block IA Unitary is a U.S. Army initiative developed as a result of Kosovo lessons learned. Lockheed Martin was awarded the contract to develop the Army TACMS Unitary missile in December 2000. The initiative was established as a Quick Reaction Program to rapidly deploy a tactical capability for the U.S. Army. The government furnished a proven unitary warhead (SLAM/HARPOON WAU-23/B), and Lockheed Martin integrated it into an existing Army TACMS Block IA missile.

Delivery of the first missile for flight test took place just four months after contract award. A total of 42 tactical missiles are scheduled to be produced and delivered to the Army by the end of calendar year 2001.

"This is a very important step for both the Army and Lockheed Martin," said Ron Abbott, vice president - Fire Support at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "This test clearly demonstrates the versatility and agility of the Army TACMS design. The ability to deliver this class of warhead out to 300 kilometers with GPS accuracy opens-up a wide variety of land attack missions for Army TACMS."

Army TACMS was the first tactical surface-to-surface missile ever fired in combat by the U.S. Army, when it was deployed in Operation Desert Storm. The Army TACMS Block IA Unitary Missile is the latest addition to the current Army TACMS Family of Munitions. The Army TACMS Block IA Unitary Missile is an all weather day/night rapid response missile that provides the Army the capability to attack high-payoff, time sensitive targets with limited collateral damage.

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: Fire Support, Strike Weapons, Air Defense, Anti-Armor, Naval Munitions, Fire Control and Sensors, 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/.

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SOURCE: Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control - Dallas