Lockheed Martin recently delivered the first MK 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS) module for installation aboard the Royal Norwegian Navy's Fridtjof Nansen frigate, the first of five ships in its class. Under a contract signed in June 2000 between Lockheed Martin and Spanish shipbuilder IZAR, Lockheed Martin will deliver one launcher per year per ship for the next five years.

Lockheed Martin and Norwegian Navy representatives recently commemorated the shipment of the first VLS launcher in a ceremony at Lockheed Martin's facility in Baltimore.

"Norway's economic future, like its past, will rely on its ability to assure access to the rich resources of the marine environment," said Capt. Jon Meyer, Royal Norwegian Naval Attache. "The New Frigate Program, our country's largest military acquisition in history, will help defend our sea lanes and provide our nation with economic vitality for generations to come. We thank the U.S. Navy and Lockheed Martin for providing us with such a reliable and proven launching system."

According to Dale Bennett, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin Maritime Systems & Sensors, the Lockheed Martin VLS team has "a true passion for invention and aptitude for whole systems thinking," evidenced by the evolution of the MK 41 VLS with changing customers' missions, adding capability over two decades to accommodate different types of missiles to meet a full range of naval combat requirements.

"This program was a true team effort, one that cut across company lines and international borders, including Spanish shipbuilder IZAR, the prime on the ship construction program, and MK 41 VLS teammate United Defense," said Bennett. "The Norwegian Navy should know that our entire VLS launching team is standing behind you, to ensure that this weapon system will answer the call when you need it the most, in those defining moments that we hope may be defined by strength and deterrence, rather than by the roar of a missile. Rest assured, the system works when called upon."

Headquartered in Bethesda, MD, Lockheed Martin employs about 130,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and services.

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SOURCE: Lockheed Martin