Lockheed Martin conducted a successful Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) Unitary rocket test at White Sands Missile Range, NM. The GMLRS Unitary rocket is a spiral development program that expands the MLRS family of munitions and provides a unitary warhead capability to the existing GMLRS configuration.

Objectives of the test, conducted May 6, included demonstrating guidance, control, fuzing and detonation. The rocket was fired from a MLRS M270A1 launcher under ambient conditions, and traveled 37 kilometers to the target area. All test objectives were achieved.

Lockheed Martin received a $119 million contract to conduct System Development and Demonstration (SDD) for a GMLRS variant with a single warhead in October 2003. GMLRS Unitary will expand the current target set of GMLRS and gives a maneuver commander a precision capability while greatly limiting collateral damage in restrictive terrain and urban areas.

"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," said Ron Abbott, Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control's vice president -- Tactical Missiles.

The SDD 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 an initial configuration and 39 flight tests of a follow-on configuration.

The SDD phase of 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.

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 80 percent. The GMLRS rocket provides increased precision and maneuverability, and can be fired from the MLRS M270 and M270A1 launchers and the HIMARS launcher.

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