Lockheed Martin announced today that the ORBUS 1A second- and third-stage solid rocket motor has completed qualification testing for the U.S. Missile Defense Agency's (MDA's) Boost Vehicle-Plus (BV+) program. Alliant Techsystems supplies the ORBUS 1A motor.

BV+ is one of two booster designs for Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) interceptors, a dual approach that assures capability and flexibility in the event of an enemy ballistic missile launch. The Boeing Company is the GMD prime contractor.

The final qualification test of the ORBUS 1A was conducted at the U.S. Air Force's Arnold Engineering Development Center in Tennessee, where the motor was successfully test fired in a simulated at-altitude environment. Preliminary results indicate that the motor met all pre-test performance requirements.

"This accomplishment is a testament to solid engineering and close teamwork with our supplier ATK and our Boeing GMD customer," said Russell Reavis, vice president, Targets & Boost Vehicles, Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company.

"BV+ vehicle assembly and delivery now can resume for the Missile Defense Agency's Ground-based Midcourse Defense system," said Roger Rieger, director, Boost Vehicle-Plus & Long Range Target Programs, Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company.

The ATK-supplied ORBUS 1A motors will be used to complete production of five deployment-configuration boosters and three integrated flight test vehicles. Three of these BV+ boosters were completed between 2003 and 2004 with second- and third-stage solid rocket motors from a previous supplier and will be retrofitted with the ATK motors.

The Boeing Company selected Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company as the BV+ subcontractor in 2003, and the BV+ booster was validated with a successful first flight in January 2004. In November 2004, Lockheed Martin announced the selection of ATK as its supplier for BV+ stage-two and stage-three solid rocket motors to replace the previous supplier. Lockheed Martin performs BV+ program management, engineering and production at its facilities in Denver, Colo., Sunnyvale, Calif., and Courtland, Ala.

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. The corporation reported 2005 sales of $37.2 billion.

Media Contact:

Lynn Fisher, 408-742-7606; lynn.m.fisher@lmco.com

SOURCE: Lockheed Martin