Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control delivered the 500th Army Tactical Missile System (Army TACMS) Block IA Missile to the U.S. Army on July 26th. All 500 missiles were delivered ahead of schedule. The Army TACMS Block IA Missile is assembled at the Lockheed Martin facility in Horizon City, Texas, near El Paso.

The Army TACMS Block IA Missile entered production nearly four years ago to the day, on July 23, 1997, when production of the Army TACMS Block I Missile ended and production of the Block IA began. Since that time, Lockheed Martin has never missed an Army TACMS Block IA scheduled delivery. Production and delivery of the Army TACMS missile, including the Block I and Block IA variants has been on time or ahead of schedule for 11 consecutive years.

"It gives me tremendous pleasure to say we've delivered every Army TACMS missile on time or ahead of schedule for the life of the program," said Ron Abbott, vice president - Fire Support programs for Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "The fact that we've delivered all 500 Block IA missiles ahead of schedule is a testament to the incredible teamwork displayed by our customer, by the employees of Lockheed Martin and all of our suppliers. Producing a powerful, effective missile, and getting it to our customer ahead of schedule, will always be our goal on the Army TACMS program."

"The Block IA system is truly one of the Army's biggest success stories," said Col. Kelley Griswold, Army TACMS/BAT Project Manager. "Not only have they all been delivered ahead of schedule, but each and every one we've fired since beginning production has performed as expected. That's a 100 percent reliability rating! Confidence in the system is one of the reasons we sent every available missile to Albania in support of Operation Allied Force. Although none were fired during the short conflict, the Army's willingness to deploy it and our confidence in the system surely sent a strong message to potential adversaries."

In April 1994, the Army awarded Lockheed Martin an Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) contract for the Army TACMS Block IA to improve the range and accuracy of ATACMS.

By reducing the payload of M74 bomblets and adding the Global Positioning System to Army TACMS' guidance system, the Block IA missile's range almost doubles the Block I range. The resulting increase in accuracy ensures Army TACMS Block IA will be one of the most effective deep strike weapon systems available. Army TACMS is launched from the Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) and High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers.

Army TACMS, for all its improvements over current weapon systems, requires minimal logistic, manpower and training support. Only a few hours of hands-on training are required to ready the MLRS launch crew for Army TACMS missions.

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.

MAKE YOUR OPINION COUNT - Click Here
http://tbutton.prnewswire.com/prn/11690X47791813

SOURCE: Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control