Lockheed Martin's Aegis Fire Control System successfully launched a Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) and guided it to a successful intercept of an airborne drone target during a U.S. Navy test at the White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) in New Mexico in late June.

"The Aegis heritage is one of continuous evolution to pace the threat," said Orlando Carvalho, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin's Surface/Sea-Based Missile Defense Systems business. "This successful test is yet one more step forward in Aegis' proud history in delivering new capabilities and engineering new technologies. The SM-6 is another arrow in the Aegis quiver, which includes missiles for anti-air warfare, ballistic missile defense, anti-submarine warfare and land attack."

The Aegis Fire Control System (FCS) at WSMR incorporates commercial off-the-shelf computing technology and Aegis Open Architecture computer program products, and is a subset of the Aegis Open Architecture weapon system that will be installed on the Ticonderoga-class cruisers as part of the U.S. Navy's cruiser modernization program.

In the WSMR test environment, the Aegis FCS uses the same weapon control, command and decision programs and sensors that are part of Aegis Open Architecture. In addition to the new capabilities delivered with Aegis Open Architecture, the commercial off-the-shelf components integrated within an open architecture supports easy upgrades as new technologies become available. Open architecture enables Aegis to evolve by incorporating state-of-the-art capabilities in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

In the recent test, the SM-6 missile was launched from a Lockheed Martin-developed Baseline VII MK 41 Vertical Launcher System (VLS). The Baseline VII VLS at WSMR provides full commonality with the latest fleet systems.

The Navy installed both systems at WSMR in March 2007. Together, they serve as a comprehensive land-based test site to verify missile integration before the respective newly developed capability is sent to sea. Prior to the SM-6 test, the Aegis Fire Control System completed a successful launch and in-flight guidance of an SM-2 Block IIIB missile in December 2007.

The Navy is developing the SM-6 to meet its requirement for an extended range anti-air warfare missile. The missile will be integrated into the Aegis Modernization program scheduled for installation on Arleigh Burke-class Aegis-equipped destroyers beginning in 2012.

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. The Corporation reported 2007 sales of $41.9 billion.

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http://www.lockheedmartin.com/

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact: kenneth.b.ross@lmco.com

SOURCE: Lockheed Martin