DALLAS, Oct. 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Government of Qatar has selected Lockheed Martin's [NYSE: LMT] PAC-3 Missile, becoming the newest international customer for the program. The initial contract is for missile and command launch system production.

"The PAC-3 Missile will provide the Qatar Air Force with proven, reliable performance with unmatched hit-to-kill lethality," said Scott Arnold, vice president of PAC-3 programs at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "The capability PAC-3 provides continues to draw significant interest from a number of international customers."

Lockheed Martin is the prime contractor on the PAC-3 Missile Segment of the Patriot air defense system. Production will begin immediately at Lockheed Martin manufacturing facilities in the United States.

The PAC-3 Missile is one of the world's most advanced, capable and reliable theater air defense missiles. It defends against advanced tactical ballistic and cruise missiles, and fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft. As the most technologically advanced missile for the Patriot air defense system, PAC-3 significantly increases the Patriot system's firepower, as 16 PAC-3s can be loaded in place of only four legacy Patriot PAC-2 missiles on the Patriot launcher. 

Lockheed Martin is a world leader in systems integration and the development of air and missile defense systems and technologies, including the first operational hit-to-kill missile.  It also has considerable experience in missile design and production, infrared seekers, command and control/battle management, and communications, precision pointing and tracking optics, as well as radar and signal processing.  The company makes significant contributions to all major U.S. missile defense systems and participates in several global missile defense partnerships.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., 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.

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SOURCE Lockheed Martin