The United Kingdom's Defence Equipment & Support Organization in the Ministry of Defense awarded Lockheed Martin a $4.8 million contract to procure additional Desert Hawk III Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). Together with a $6.3 million award in April, the contracts are directed at increasing the capability of the British Army.

The Desert Hawk III UAS consists of a light-weight, hand-launched, ruggedized air vehicle that includes a man-portable ground station. The UAS provides autonomous intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability, including terrain avoidance and dynamic in-flight re-tasking. Desert Hawk has provided important support to British forces in both Afghanistan and Iraq.

Under the contract, Lockheed Martin will provide additional systems to British forces with the latest generation Desert Hawk UAS. The design of the Desert Hawk III maximizes the system's target detection and recognition capabilities by using a long-endurance air vehicle capable of operating in high-wind environments, such as those experienced in the desert. The Desert Hawk III system's air vehicle is less-detectable by ground-based foes and includes steerable plug-and-play imaging payload capabilities, providing British forces with greater situational awareness.

"We are proud to play a vital role in equipping British forces," said Richard Udicious, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin's Tactical Systems business. "We are committed to continuing the evolution of this system and bringing new technology to our customers, allowing them to improve force protection. Lockheed Martin continues to expand its commitment to unmanned systems and provide a critical need to front-line troops engaged on operations."

Other Desert Hawk III elements previously delivered to the British Army include ground control stations, remote video terminals, field repair kits, a spare parts program and technical support.

Headquartered in Bethesda, MD, Lockheed Martin employs more than 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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SOURCE: Lockheed Martin