The Naval Sea Systems Command awarded Lockheed Martin Naval Electronic & Surveillance Systems (NE&SS) a $420 million contract modification to develop a prototype tactical radar, called SPY-1E, as a critical component of the nation's sea-based midcourse missile defense segment.

SPY-1E is a solid-state S-band radar that provides greatly improved detection at much greater ranges, a key requirement to counter ballistic missile defense threats. Additionally, SPY-1E will improve the U.S. Navy's ship self-defense and anti-air warfare capabilities.

"Everyone involved in the development of SPY-1E is looking forward to bringing new capabilities to the fleet," commented Fred Moosally, president of Lockheed Martin NE&SS-Surface Systems. "SPY-1E significantly enhances the capabilities of our Aegis Weapon System with the technology needed to defend against next-generation threats." Lockheed Martin has been working on these new capabilities since 1999, and the first prototype is slated to be ready in 2006.

The SPY-1 is the heart of the Lockheed Martin-developed Aegis Weapon System, which is deployed on 61 U.S. Aegis-class ships on station around the world. The current SPY-1 radar can search, track and guide missiles simultaneously and has the capability of tracking hundreds of targets concurrently, from the wave tops to the exoatmosphere. SPY-1E will provide a step increase in the capability of the Aegis Weapon System.

SPY-1 is now available worldwide in various configurations, providing the U.S. and allied nations with the world's most advanced naval, surveillance, anti-air warfare and missile defense capabilities.

Lockheed Martin NE&SS provides surface ship and submarine weapon systems, antisubmarine warfare and ocean surveillance systems, missile launching systems, radar and sensor systems, ship systems integration services and other advanced systems and services to customers worldwide. NE&SS is a unit of Lockheed Martin Corporation headquartered in Bethesda, MD. The corporation's principal business areas are aeronautics, space, systems integration and technology services.

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SOURCE: Lockheed Martin Naval Electronics & Surveillance Systems