DALLAS, Sept. 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed Martin's [NYSE: LMT] Havoc 8x8 Armored Modular Vehicle successfully completed the Nevada Automotive Test Center's challenging Butte Mountain Trail course, one of the most severe off-road test tracks in the world. Teamed with Patria, Havoc is Lockheed Martin's entry in the U.S. Marine Corps' Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) Phase I program.

The mile-long course has nearly 1,000 feet of elevation change and extremely rugged, rocky stretches that have damaged and disabled numerous vehicles over the years.

"Over the course of 10 days of testing, we performed more than 40 test runs up and down the mountain while demonstrating the vehicle's ride quality and crew comfort," said Scott Greene, vice president of Ground Vehicles at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "Not once did the Havoc fail. And we were told numerous times that this course has stopped many vehicles over the years, including tanks."

The testing, funded and conducted by Lockheed Martin, was undertaken to validate the company's solution to the Marine Corps' need for a survivable and robust wheeled, amphibious vehicle. The Marine Corps will conduct its own series of automotive, amphibious and protection tests of 16 Havoc vehicles once the ACV program is under way. The program's Request for Proposal is expected in early 2015

"Our passengers were complementary of the Havoc's handling, ride quality, acceleration and braking throughout the demo while at a fully armored weight," said Patrick Shepherd, Havoc program manager at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "The most highly appreciated design features they noticed were how quiet the vehicle interior was and the smoothness of the Havoc ride throughout the demonstration."

Havoc is a highly protected multi-mission, fully amphibious expeditionary ground combat vehicle which represents an evolution of the Patria 8x8 Armored Modular Vehicle, a battle-tested design used by armed forces globally. The modular design allows a wide range of weapons, sensor and communications options to address evolving mission and affordability requirements. Havoc features exceptional mobility and transportability, and can provide protection against a variety of extreme threats.

For more than three decades, Lockheed Martin has applied its systems-integration expertise to a wide range of successful ground vehicles for U.S. and allied forces worldwide. The company's products include the combat-proven Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) M270-series and High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) mobile launchers, Havoc 8x8, Common Vehicle, Light Armored Vehicle-Command and Control, Warrior Capability Sustainment Programme, Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) and pioneering unmanned platforms such as the Squad Mission Support System (SMSS).

Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 113,000 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 net sales for 2013 were $45.4 billion.

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

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140919/147300

SOURCE Lockheed Martin