The U.S. Army has awarded Lockheed Martin a $58.3 million contract to continue depot maintenance support for the battle-proven HELLFIRE II(R) Modular Missile System. The contract is for one year of continued support with three one-year options that will provide support to the Warfighter through 2010.

Under provisions of the contract, Lockheed Martin will continue to operate the HELLFIRE Missile Depot (HMD) at the Anniston Army Depot in Anniston, AL, as well as continue worldwide field support of the HELLFIRE missile system with depot maintenance technicians located around the U.S. The HMD is a government-owned, contractor-operated facility that performs repair, reset and retrofit activities for the HELLFIRE missile system.

Together, the field technicians and the depot are responsible for maintaining the battle readiness of the precision-strike semiactive laser- guided missile. More than 3,000 HELLFIRE rounds have been expended in the Global War on Terrorism.

"We've been proud to work alongside our Army customer to ensure the Warfighters receive top-notch equipment in the field," said Ken Musculus, director of the Air-to-Ground Missile Systems program area at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "We look forward to delivering the same disciplined performance in support of our HELLFIRE missile systems through 2010."

The HELLFIRE II family includes three warhead variations to defeat a broad target set: (1) the high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) missile, or AGM-114K, which defeats all known and projected armored threats; (2) the AGM-114M blast fragmentation missile, which defeats "soft" targets such as boats, buildings, bunkers and light-armored vehicles; and (3) the metal augmented charge (MAC) missile, or AGM-114N, which defeats enclosures, caves and enemy personnel housed therein -- all with minimal collateral damage.

The HELLFIRE II family has been employed by all four branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, as well as the armed forces of 14 other nations. It has been launched from a wide array of platforms, including the Apache, Cobra and Seahawk attack helicopters; the Kiowa Warrior scout helicopter; and the Predator unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

With more than 21,000 rounds delivered, HELLFIRE II is licensed for international sales, via government-to-government or direct commercial sales contracts.

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.

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

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SOURCE: Lockheed Martin