Lockheed Martin received a Revolutionary Approach to Time-critical Long Range Strike (RATTLRS) phase-two contract award from the Office of Naval Research on July 20. RATTLRS is part of the National Aerospace Initiative and is a demonstration program to increase capabilities and performance for expendable supersonic vehicles. In total, this is a five-year (base and options) Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity contract with a ceiling of $175 million.

Lockheed Martin is teamed with Allison Advanced Development Company (AADC) to develop technologies that will provide an advanced Mach 4+ integrated propulsion system in an operationally traceable airframe. The AADC YJ102R engine provides the supersonic cruise capability of the legendary SR-71 spy plane in a simple and inexpensive engine suitable for an expendable missile. Advances in turbine cooling technology in the 40 years since the SR-71 first flew allow the YJ102R to provide more than six times the specific thrust of the SR-71 engines, allowing the RATTLRS vehicle to cruise at similar Mach numbers without the high fuel consumption of afterburning engines.

"Our team's RATTLRS approach will contribute landmark technologies toward Long Range Strike," said Neil Kacena of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company's Advanced Development Programs organization, also known as the Skunk Works. "The Lockheed Martin-led team builds on years of demonstrated success in high speed, hypersonic technology development and weapon system performance in support of the Office of Naval Research's RATTLRS program goals," Kacena said.

Lockheed Martin is the industry leader in high speed aerospace systems, providing expertise, technology and operational systems to the warfighter. The RATTLRS program is a key component in Lockheed Martin's goal to develop high speed weapon systems for joint U.S. customers.

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. The corporation reported 2003 sales of $31.8 billion.

For additional information, visit our web site:

http://www.lockheedmartin.com/

SOURCE: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company