Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control has received a $165 million sole-source letter contract, with $82.4 million of the contract initially funded, for production of the Army TACMS Block II Missile from the U.S. Army Aviation & Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala.

The Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP-IIIA) contract includes 19 Tactical Block II/BAT missile systems, three test missiles and logistics and test support requirements. The LRIP IIIA work will be performed at the company's Dallas and Horizon City, Texas, facilities and will be completed in December 2003.

The Block II missile has a range of more than 80 miles (128 km). The Block II Continued Development contract was originally awarded to Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control in July 1995. A Low-Rate Initial Production contract was awarded in June 1999.

The BAT submunition, produced by Northrop Grumman , has the lethality and intelligence to search out and destroy moving armor. The BAT submunitions are dispensed from Army TACMS by a gas bag management system. Once the Army TACMS warhead skin separates from the missile, the gas bags inflate, pushing the BATs out of the missile body. The BATs then activate and begin searching for targets.

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/ .

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SOURCE: Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control