Lockheed Martin announced today that it has received a $28 million contract modification from Northrop Grumman Corporation to provide hardware components for the full-rate production phase of the Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) Safety Enhanced Reentry Vehicle (SERV) program. The entire force of Minuteman III missiles is slated to be upgraded with the SERV modifications by 2011. With options, the total value of this contract modification over six years will be approximately $104 million.

Lockheed Martin is a principal teammate on the SERV program to Northrop Grumman, the ICBM prime integration contractor for the U.S. Air Force. Lockheed Martin Space Systems, which has been the principal designer and manufacturer of the Minuteman III reentry systems since the 1960s, has designed and developed all of the flight hardware and ground support equipment associated with the SERV program.

"Lockheed Martin is committed to providing the Air Force with the highest quality hardware and systems engineering in support of the operational ICBM force," said Les Lyon, director, Air Force Reentry Programs, Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company. "The same commitment that has led to success on the earlier phases of the SERV program will help assure a reliable ICBM force through full-rate production and beyond."

Lockheed Martin Space Systems will provide the Electronic Command Signal Generator component and associated cabling that interface between the guidance and control system of the Minuteman III missile and the reentry vehicles. Lockheed Martin also will provide the flight hardware for attachment of the reentry vehicles to the missile. Lockheed Martin's Valley Forge, Pa., facility produces the Electronic Command Signal Generator, cables, attachment hardware, and a complete suite of ground support equipment, and provides associated engineering and logistics support.

As a result of SERV, the Minuteman III missile is now capable of carrying single Mark 21 reentry vehicles that became available from the recently decommissioned Peacekeeper ICBM missile force. This ensures continued reliability and effectiveness of the Minuteman III weapon system, in part because the Mark 21 reentry vehicle is a newer design with enhanced safety features.

Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, a major operating unit of Lockheed Martin Corporation, designs, develops, tests, manufactures and operates a variety of advanced technology systems for military, civil and commercial customers. Chief products include a full-range of space launch systems, including heavy-lift capability, ground systems, remote sensing and communications satellites for commercial and government customers, advanced space observatories and interplanetary spacecraft, fleet ballistic missiles and missile defense systems.

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