Lockheed Martin received a $127 million Foreign Military Sale contract from the U.S. Navy to deliver the MK 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS) for three Republic of Korea KDX-III destroyers.

Based on a whole system approach of design and integration, the MK 41 VLS has evolved with changing customers' missions, adding capability to accommodate different types of missiles to meet different requirements. No other existing naval missile launcher is capable of launching missiles for every threat in naval warfare, including anti-air, anti-submarine, ship self- defense, land attack, and missile defense.

Korea's KDX-III ships will feature cutting-edge design and systems integration, including Lockheed Martin's Aegis Weapon System, the most advanced combat system in the world.

"Lockheed Martin is extremely proud to partner with the U.S. Navy in providing these world class systems for the Korean Navy," said Dale Bennett, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin Maritime Systems & Sensors Marine Systems line of business. "This is a solid complement to Korea's expertise in naval architecture and ship design, providing the Korean Navy with a combat-tested, flexible, open architecture launching system capable of future upgrades. No other naval missile launcher has a record of more than 3,000 missile firings -- more than half in combat -- with a proven 99.6 percent launch reliability."

Lockheed Martin will issue subcontracts to United Defense of Aberdeen, SD, and Metric Systems of Fort Walton Beach, FL, to produce subassemblies for the MK 41 VLS.

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 on Lockheed Martin Corporation, visit: www.lockheedmartin.com

SOURCE: Lockheed Martin