Lockheed Martin will host a rollout ceremony on Thursday, April 15, 2004, at its facility in Camden, AR, for the newest members of the Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) family: the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and the Guided MLRS Rocket. Media members are invited to attend.

The rollout will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m. at the company's manufacturing facility in Camden, and will last approximately one hour.

Media must R.S.V.P. to Craig Vanbebber (contact information below) no later than close of business on Monday, April 12, in order to attend.

HIMARS is the newest member of the MLRS family of launchers. The now battle-proven HIMARS includes the self-loading, autonomous features that have made MLRS the premier rocket and missile artillery system in the world. HIMARS carries a single six-pack of MLRS rockets, or one Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missile on a wheeled chassis. Its fire control system, electronics and communications units are interchangeable with the MLRS M270A1 launcher, and the crew and training are the same.

The GMLRS rocket is the latest addition to the MLRS family of munitions. GMLRS is an all-weather, precision-guided rocket that provides increased accuracy, thus reducing the number of rockets necessary to defeat current targets by as much as 80 percent. GMLRS provides increased precision and maneuverability, and can be fired from both the MLRS M270A1 launcher and the HIMARS launcher.

Directions to the facility will be provided to those who R.S.V.P.

CONTACT: Craig Vanbebber of Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, +1-972-603-1615, or mobile, +1-214-534-1921, or craig.vanbebber@lmco.com .

PRNewswire -- April 8

SOURCE: Lockheed Martin