Lockheed Martin received a $379 million contract from the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM) for the production of 112 Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC- 3) Missiles. The contract also includes launcher modification kits, program management and engineering, as well as spares and other necessary equipment.

The PAC-3 Missile is currently the world's only fielded hit-to-kill, pure kinetic energy air defense missile. Production of all equipment will take place at Lockheed Martin manufacturing facilities in Dallas and Lufkin, TX, and the PAC-3 All-Up Round facility in Camden, AR.

"The PAC-3 Missile has proven hit-to-kill lethality and is the world's most advanced, capable air defense missile, so we're pleased to provide this powerful system to the U.S. Army," said Richard McDaniel, director - PAC-3 Missile Program at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "The battle- proven PAC-3 Missile enables the PAC-3 system to deliver unprecedented levels of protection to U.S. Warfighters and our friends and allies."

Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control is the prime contractor on the PAC-3 Missile Segment upgrade to the Patriot air defense system. The PAC-3 Missile Segment upgrade consists of the PAC-3 Missile, a highly agile hit-to- kill interceptor, the PAC-3 Missile canister (which holds four PAC-3 missiles), a Fire Solution Computer and an Enhanced Launcher Electronics System.

Over the past 12 years, the PAC-3 Missile has achieved the most successful flight test record of any U.S. missile defense interceptor.

The PAC-3 Missile is the world's most advanced, capable and powerful theater air defense missile. It defeats the entire threat to the Patriot Air Defense System: tactical ballistic missiles, evolving cruise missiles and fixed and rotary winged aircraft. PAC-3 Missiles significantly increase the Patriot system's firepower, since 16 PAC-3s load-out on a Patriot launcher, compared with four legacy Patriot PAC-2 missiles.

The PAC-3 Missile has been selected as the U.S. primary interceptor for the multi-national Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS). MEADS is a model transatlantic program for the next generation of air and missile defense. MEADS will focus on risk reduction, application of key technologies and validation of a system design incorporating the PAC-3 Missile as the primary interceptor.

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

For additional information, visit our web site: http://www.lockheedmartin.com/

SOURCE: Lockheed Martin