Lockheed Martin has received a $119 million contract to conduct System Development and Demonstration (SDD) for a Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) variant with a single warhead. Work on the contract will be performed at the company's facilities in Dallas, TX, Camden, AR, and White Sands Missile Range, NM.

The program will replace the existing GMLRS payload of multiple submunitions with a single or unitary warhead, enhanced fuzing and an improved rocket motor. GMLRS Unitary is an evolutionary follow-on to the GMLRS system, which will extend the family line of MLRS and Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) technologies.

"GMLRS Unitary will provide soldiers with a precision strike weapon system to strike high payoff targets at all depths of the tactical battlefield," said Ron Abbott, Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control's vice president - Tactical Missiles. "We remain focused on producing and delivering the highest quality fire support systems and munitions to the U.S. Army warfighter."

Primary contract activities will include developing an initial configuration that will provide more immediate capability to the user, and a follow-on configuration that will provide further enhancements. The contract includes 86 rockets, 71 of which are flight articles, with the balance supporting test and other activities. The contract also provides test hardware to support 26 flight tests for the initial configuration and 39 flight tests of the follow-on configuration.

This program was preceded by a successful system demonstration in 2002 of a Quick Reaction Unitary Rocket and a nine-month Component Advanced Development program. The Guided Unitary SDD program will continue through 2007.

Headquartered in Bethesda, MD, Lockheed Martin employs about 125,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and services.

For additional information, visit our website:

www.lockheedmartin.com

SOURCE: Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control