Lockheed Martin has delivered the first 72 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) Unitary rockets to the U.S. Army, satisfying a request for an immediate capability as part of an Urgent Need Statement from the U.S. Army Aviation & Missile Command (AMCOM), Redstone Arsenal, AL, in January 2005.

The GMLRS Unitary rocket will greatly reduce collateral damage by providing enhanced accuracy to ensure delivery of the warhead to the target. Guided MLRS Unitary integrates a 196-pound unitary warhead into the GMLRS rocket, giving battlefield commanders the ability to attack targets up to 70 kilometers away with high precision.

Work on the contract quick-reaction was performed at Lockheed Martin facilities in Dallas, TX, and Camden, AR. More than 400 GMLRS Unitary rockets will be delivered as part of the Army's Urgent Need Statement. Deliveries of the rockets will continue throughout the remainder of the year.

"Lockheed Martin is leaning far forward to bring in theater the technology we need to allow the precision we presently lack," said Col. James Heverin, U.S. Army TRADOC system manager for rockets and missiles at Fort Sill, OK.

"The Army requested that Lockheed Martin accelerate the current Guided Unitary SDD program in January in support of an Urgent Need Statement," said Ron Abbott, vice president - Tactical Missiles at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "We received the go ahead in January and delivered the first lot in May, which in production terms is outstanding performance. But our GMLRS team's passion for invention literally redesigned the boundaries of what is possible for the benefit of our Soldiers."

Performance of the GMLRS Unitary rockets has been outstanding during the testing phase, performing successfully in 10 different tests over the past 14 months.

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. The GMLRS rocket provides increased precision and maneuverability, and can be fired from the MLRS M270A1 and the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers.

GMLRS is a Future Force system with a modular design intended to incorporate future growth. The system incorporates a GPS-aided inertial guidance package integrated on a product-improved rocket body. Small canards on the guided rocket nose provide basic maneuverability and enhance the accuracy of the system.

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