LOCKHEED MARTIN/RAFAEL ROLL OUT AGM-142 MISSILE IN PIKE COUNTY ALABAMA
ORLANDO, FL, August 31st, 1999 -- Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control Orlando will showcase its first AGM-142 air-to-surface precision strike standoff missile during roll out ceremonies Thursday, September 2, in Troy, Alabama. PGSUS Limited Liability Company (LLC), a Lockheed Martin/Rafael Industries Joint Venture, is under contract by the U.S. Air Force to jointly market and manufacture AGM-142 products worldwide. Officials slated to speak at the hour-long ceremony include Alabama State Senator Wendell Mitchell; Alabama Congressman Terry Everett; Brigadier General Regner C. Rider, vice commander of the Air Command's 8th Air Force; Stanley R. Arthur, president, Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control Orlando; and Giora Shalgi, president of Rafael Industries.
AGM-142, a variant of the Israeli Air Force "Popeye" missile is currently carried on the U.S. Air Force B-52H bomber. Fielded in May 1992, it is the only precision, conventional standoff weapon in the U.S. Air Force bomber fleet. The Air Force originally purchased and accepted 154 missiles; an additional 54 missiles (Lot 7, FY 96) are in production and will be the first delivered from Lockheed Martin's missile manufacturing facility in Troy.
Work on the AGM-142 system is performed at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control Orlando, in Orlando, Fla., and Troy, Ala., and at locations in Israel.
"The production of AGM-142 and this rollout ceremony establish the Pike County facility as the cruise missile Center of Excellence for Lockheed Martin Corporation," said Dick Caime, vice president of Strike Weapons at Missiles and Fire Control - Orlando. "This gives the U.S. Air Force a facility where they can cost-effectively send missiles for repair and overhaul instead of sending them to Israel."
This will be the first of many Lockheed Martin cruise missile rollouts, said Caime. "In early 2000, we will roll out the first JASSM cruise missile from this facility. So Pike County really becomes the company?s center for cruise missile production." PGSUS, Lockheed Martin's Joint Venture with Rafael, "enhances the capability for international sales of the missile," Caime added.
Internationally, AGM-142 has been purchased by the Israeli Air Force, the Royal Australian Air Force, and as of August 1999, the Republic of Korea Air Force.
The precision-guided, air-launched, standoff AGM-142 is effective against high-value ground and sea targets. The missile can employ either a TV or a high-resolution imaging infrared seeker for around-the-clock operations. It closes on its target in a fire-and-update mode using a highly secure data link. The system minimizes aircraft exposure by permitting launches in a variety of trajectories at standoff ranges. It employs either blast or penetration warheads.
Rafael, of Haifa, Israel, is a leading developer and manufacturer of a wide range of highly advanced tactical missiles, including air-to-air, air-to-surface and ship defense systems and other battle-proven electronic and defense systems.
Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control is a world leader in electro-optics, smart munitions, anti armor and air defense systems. The company is an operating element of Lockheed Martin Electronics Sector and Lockheed Martin Corporation both based in Bethesda, Maryland. Lockheed Martin is a highly diversified global enterprise principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced-technology systems, products and services. The Corporation's core businesses span space and telecommunications, electronics, information and services, aeronautics, energy and systems integration.
Nettie Johnson, 407-356-5351
e-mail nettie.r.johnson@lmco.com
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