Lockheed Martin today officially unveiled its state-of-the-art production facility for the Non-Line-of-Sight Launch System (NLOS-LS) on its Baltimore campus. The new $3.7 million facility will produce the Container Launch Unit (CLU) subsystem of the NLOS-LS and continues the company's legacy of providing U.S. and allied forces with the latest missile launcher technology.

The NLOS-LS Precision Attack Missile (PAM), produced by Raytheon Missile Systems, is capable of targeting visually-obscured or over-the-horizon adversaries as part of the U.S. Army's Modular and Future Combat Force, as well as Special Operations Forces. The self-contained system, which can operate either vehicle-mounted or deployed independently in the field, is capable of autonomous or manned operations. Raytheon Missile Systems will also produce components of the CLU at their facility in Tucson, AZ.

"This ceremony represents the start of real hardware getting in the hands of Soldiers," said Colonel Douglas Dever, U.S. Army, NLOS-LS Project Manager. "As I stand up here today, I feel so overwhelmed with pride because the Army will have a much needed system to support the Warfighters."

The new NLOS-LS production facility incorporates the Baltimore-based business' years of experience with the MK 41 Vertical Launcher missile system, which is either in service or on order for 186 ships in 19 different ship classes in 12 navies around the world. With potential applications for all military services, NLOS-LS is currently planned as a mission module aboard the U.S. Navy's new fleet of Littoral Combat Ships (LCS). It could also be used on an Unmanned Surface Vehicle weapon mission module.

Built in 22,000 square feet of renovated space, the new facility combines lean advanced manufacturing technologies that include paperless and wireless systems. The production facility is arranged to accommodate mechanical and electronics assembly, automatic test equipment and environmental stress screening. The facility will feature Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) that electronically tracks parts, sub-assemblies and completed units, as well as the product's progress. Provided by Savi Technology, a Lockheed Martin Company, the RFID technology will analyze the data to identify real time bottlenecks in the manufacturing process.

"This efficient, cutting-edge facility enables us to produce a quality, cost-effective NLOS launcher for our U.S. Army customer," said Dan Schultz, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin's Baltimore line of business. "The Lockheed Martin team displayed tremendous ingenuity and innovation in developing this facility. We have a proud history in the Baltimore community, and the opening of this facility will enable us to further expand and grow our business here."

Headquartered in Bethesda, MD, Lockheed Martin employs about 140,000 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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FCMN Contact: chip.eschenfelder@lmco.com

SOURCE: Lockheed Martin