HUNTSVILLE, Ala., Dec. 3, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) announced today that the Lockheed Martin-Raytheon team competing for the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) Development and Sustainment Contract has received the final request for proposal from the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA).

MDA issued the request for proposal Dec. 2, with a submission due date of Jan. 28.  The contract will continue development, manufacturing, test, training, operations support and sustainment support of the GMD element of the Ballistic Missile Defense System, which protects the nation, our allies and friends against limited ballistic missile attack.  

"This team is prepared and enthusiastic about our offer to support this critical national asset," said Mathew J. Joyce, GMD vice president and program manager, Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company.  "Backed by proven performance and domain expertise, our bid will assure a smooth transition.  The entire Lockheed Martin-Raytheon team is dedicated to a transparent partnership with the MDA and GMD program office."  

Lockheed Martin will be prime contractor and systems integrator.  The Lockheed Martin-led team will perform work at all major GMD sites:  Huntsville, Ala.; Fort Greely, Alaska; Eareckson Air Station, Alaska; Schriever Air Force Base, Colo.; and Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.  

In addition to the GMD Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle, Raytheon will provide systems engineering, development, modeling and simulation, operations and sustainment, manufacturing, testing and training.  

"Three additional companies have joined our best-of-industry team," said Joyce.  Bluespring Software will provide software tools for modeling, analysis and process improvement.  Mission Solutions Engineering will provide systems engineering and software development support.  Raytheon Trusted Computer Solutions will provide software support services.  

The Lockheed Martin-Raytheon GMD team also includes:  Alaska Aerospace Corporation, ARES Corporation, ATK Aerospace Systems, Bechtel National Inc., CohesionForce Inc., Dynetics Inc., Harris Corporation, Imprimis Inc., IroquoiSystems Inc., NANA Development Corporation's ASTS-Akima Logistics Services Joint Venture, Northrop Grumman Corporation as an OEM provider, Orbital Sciences Corporation, Oregon Iron Works Inc., Quadrus Corporation, QuantiTech Inc. and TDX Power Inc.  

Strategic partners Lockheed Martin and Raytheon have developed systems that have achieved more than 50 intercepts in testing and combat – more than any other team.  The team's credentials include more than 30 years of experience in missile defense development, production, testing and fielding, more than 50 years of experience in strategic weapon system operations and sustainment, and award-winning performance-based logistics expertise.  

Raytheon Company, with 2009 sales of $25 billion, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world.  With a history of innovation spanning 88 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as a broad range of mission support services.  With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 75,000 people worldwide.  

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 133,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.  The Corporation's 2009 sales from continuing operations were $44.0 billion.  

SOURCE Lockheed Martin