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Lockheed Martin's HIMARS Successfully Fires MLRS Rockets At White Sands Missile Range

DALLAS, TX, April 24th, 2000 -- The High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) successfully fired a six-round ripple of Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) rockets recently at White Sands Missile Range, N.M. The Secretary of the Army, the Honorable Louis Caldera, attended the successful firing. In a press conference immediately following the event, Secretary Caldera expressed the importance of HIMARS in the Army's new vision for a lighter, more lethal force.

HIMARS and MLRS are produced by Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control - Dallas.

The 3rd Battalion (MLRS), 27th Field Artillery Regiment at Fort Bragg, N.C., conducted the exercise. The HIMARS vehicle used was one of four operational prototypes currently under evaluation by the XVIII Airborne Corps Artillery stationed at Fort Bragg.

"HIMARS continues to perform exceptionally well in all testing," said Ron Abbott, vice president - Fire Support for Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "HIMARS will provide overwhelming fire support for light, early-entry forces. This is just another success in a long line of HIMARS achievements."

HIMARS, the newest member of the MLRS family, is a highly mobile artillery rocket system that will be able to fire the complete MLRS and ATACMS family of munitions. Its fire control system, electronics and communications units are interchangeable with the MLRS M270A1 launcher, and the crew and training are the same. Because of its size, HIMARS can be deployed into areas previously inaccessible to the larger aircraft required to transport the standard MLRS launcher. It also retains the self-loading, autonomous features that have made MLRS the premier rocket artillery system in the world.

Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control - Dallas developed and fabricated four operational HIMARS prototypes as part the Army's Rapid Force Projection Initiative Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration contract awarded to the company in March of 1996. Three of the wheeled vehicles (a platoon) were delivered to the Army's XVIII Airborne Corps Artillery for a two-year extended user evaluation. The fourth vehicle is being maintained by Missiles and Fire Control - Dallas for testing/evaluation. The Army's current program has established that the First Unit Equipped (FUE) will be in FY'05.

Located in Dallas and Orlando, Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control develops, manufactures and supports advanced combat, missile, rocket and space systems. The company is organized in seven program/mission areas: Strike Weapons, Air Defense, Anti-Armor, Naval Munitions, Fire Control and Sensors, Fire Support and Product Development.

Craig Vanbebber
(972) 603-1615