Lockheed Martin has been awarded a $9 million contract to build a technology demonstration vehicle for the second phase of the U.S. Army's Future Tactical Truck System Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration (FTTS ACTD).

Under the contract, Lockheed Martin will build an LM4x4 FTTS utility vehicle for delivery to the Army later this fall. The truck will then undergo a Platform Systems Demonstration and a Military User Assessment. The results of these evaluations will be used to refine the requirements for the next generation of tactical wheeled vehicles.

"The ACTD's second phase is an important step in developing the requirements for safer and more survivable vehicles for our warfighters," said Louis J. De Santis, vice president and general manager, Integrated Products, at Lockheed Martin Systems Integration -- Owego. "We look forward to working with the Army to build a technology demonstration truck that will help the service refine the requirements for the 40,000-plus vehicles that will eventually replace the Humvee."

Lockheed Martin was selected to build the demonstration vehicle because of its performance in the ACTD's initial modeling and simulation phase, which concluded in September. During that phase, the LM4x4 FTTS utility vehicle design was able to demonstrate several important features, including improved survivability and safety, enhanced vehicle reliability, maintainability and range, and robust digital network capabilities.

The FTTS award comes less than two weeks after Lockheed Martin UK Holdings Limited, a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, announced that it had acquired HMT Vehicles Limited, a United Kingdom-based developer of designs for military vehicles. Lockheed Martin plans on incorporating HMT's designs into its U.S. programs such as the Army's FTTS.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 135,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.

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SOURCE: Lockheed Martin