Lockheed Martin has received a five-year contract valued at $120 million from BAE Systems for further development and test of the Long-Range Land Attack Projectile (LRLAP) for the Advanced Gun System (AGS) on the U.S. Navy's next- generation destroyer, the DD(X).

The cost-plus-award-fee contract calls for completion of a LRLAP to provide precise, rapid-response, high-volume, long-range fire support for U.S. Marines ashore.

The new contract calls for additional development and tests in 2006-2008 and support to AGS qualification testing in 2009-2010. More than 100 projectiles will be delivered and tested under this contract. Full-rate production is expected to begin in 2011.

"LRLAP will have a key role in future coastal and urban combat scenarios," said Pete Jasanis, LRLAP program manager at Lockheed Martin. "Its extended range and pinpoint accuracy will allow the DD(X) to provide precision fire support to Marine Corps expeditionary forces from safe standoff range offshore, with minimal collateral damage and risk to friendly forces."

"Building upon a highly successful Engineering Development Model (EDM) program, we look forward to working with BAE again," he added. "We are confident we will have the projectile ready for the qualification in 2009."

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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http://www.lockheedmartin.com/

SOURCE: Lockheed Martin