Lockheed Martin received a $10.7 million contract from Boeing Integrated Defense Systems (IDS) to provide the Gunship Multispectral Sensor System (GMS2) for the U.S. Air Force's AC-130U aircraft. The initial contract is for the system's development phase with production options that could result in a total program value of $35 million.

GMS2 will serve as the multispectral sensor for the four new AC-130U Gunships being procured by the Air Force, and replaces the All Light Level TV (ALLTV) sensor currently on the AC-130U. GMS2 integrates third-generation infrared sensing technology with image-intensified low-light TV cameras and a suite of lasers to enable the AC-130U to perform its Gunship missions with far greater effectiveness. Boeing IDS is the prime contractor for the AC-130U upgrade program.

The Lockheed Martin GMS2 is a variant of the Hawkeye Target Sight System, which is now in flight testing on the U.S. Marine Corps' AH-1Z Cobra attack helicopter.

"Recent GMS2 sensor tests conducted at the White Sands Missile Range demonstrated the suitability of our system to fulfill the mission requirements of the AC-130U," said John Curry, Lockheed Martin GMS2 program manager. "We believe that what our customer witnessed, in terms of our performance, was key to helping us win the competition."

"Selection of a Hawkeye variant by Boeing and the Air Force for GMS2 validates our commitment to providing the most advanced sensor capabilities available for meeting our customer's needs," said Tom Simmons, vice president, Fire Control line of business, at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control.

Lockheed Martin will build and deliver five systems plus spares under the GMS2 contract as well as provide integration support and product support services to Boeing. The contract will be completed by the fall of 2006.

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