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Lockheed Martin Signs Contract With Mhi Japan For Integration Of Japan's New ASROC Missile Into The Mk41 Vertical Launching System

BALTIMORE, MD, June 13th, 2001 -- Lockheed Martin Naval Electronics and Surveillance Systems (NE&SS) - Marine Systems announced today that it has signed a direct commercial sale contract with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. (MHI) for technical assistance in integrating Japan's New anti-submarine rocket (ASROC) missile into the MK 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS). The New ASROC is being developed by MHI under a contract with Japan's Technical Research and Development Institute (TRDI) of the Japan Defense Agency (JDA). The new contract covers the first two phases of a multi-phase contract, which will be completed over a four-year period. The New ASROC is a vertically launched anti-submarine rocket that, once over the target, converts into a target-seeking torpedo. Under terms of the contract, NE&SS - Marine Systems will provide design expertise to MHI's New ASROC design team to ensure smooth integration with the MK 41 VLS. The test phase of this program will be conducted in Japan. After program completion, the New ASROC missile may be installed in Japan's destroyers, which are outfitted with the MK 41 VLS.

Dale Bennett, Vice President and General Manager of NE&SS - Marine Systems said, "This is a significant opportunity for both Lockheed Martin and MHI. This contract marks the first time that Lockheed Martin has performed a 100% foreign (non-U.S. Navy) missile integration into the MK 41 VLS, as well as the first totally direct commercial sale contract for a missile integration effort."

Designed and developed by Lockheed Martin, the MK 41 VLS is a below-deck launching system capable of firing many different missile types. NE&SS - Marine Systems has been supplying the MK 41 VLS for both the Japanese MURASAME and KONGO-class ships since 1989. Under a 1998 contract, NE&SS - Marine Systems licensed MHI to assemble, test, and sell the MK 41 launchers to the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force.

Specializing in the MK 41 VLS, systems integration and advanced hull form technologies, NE&SS - Marine Systems is a unit of Lockheed Martin Corporation.

Tom Greer, 410-682-1140