Lockheed Martin has received $45.6 million from the U.S. Army Aviation & Missile Command for Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) Quick Reaction Unitary missiles.

Work on the contract will be conducted at the company's facilities in Dallas and Horizon City, TX. Delivery of the missiles is scheduled for 2008.

The ATACMS Block IA Quick Reaction Unitary (QRU) Missile was combat proven in joint operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom, and is the latest addition to the current ATACMS family of munitions. The government furnishes a monolithic high explosive warhead, which Lockheed Martin integrates into new ATACMS QRU missiles for precision attack out to 300 kilometers. The ATACMS QRU variant provides the capability to attack high-payoff, time sensitive targets with limited collateral damage.

"These contracts demonstrate once more that the battle-proven ATACMS are relevant and ready to support any customer's mission," said Rick Edwards, vice president - Tactical Missiles at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "This missile is extremely accurate. It will reduce the number of munitions needed for any given targets and its vertical impact makes it the weapon of choice when collateral damage is a concern."

The ATACMS Block IA Unitary PIP also has vertical impact capability, which reduces collateral damage. This system will have a much more efficient logistical footprint, while it will expand the traditional target-set for Army TACMS.

The Army TACMS Unitary missile is a responsive, all weather, long-range missile, with a high explosive, single burst warhead fired from the Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) family of launchers, including the MLRS 270A1 launcher and the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS).

"We are committed to continuing the stellar record of the Army TACMS program," said Greg Kavanagh, ATACMS program director at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "We have established an outstanding record of never missing a delivery date for any variant of the ATACMS missile. It is an honor to continue such a legacy."

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