Military

Lockheed Martin Conducts Two Successful Production Qualification Tests for Guided MLRS Rocket

DALLAS, TX, July 23rd, 2002 -- Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Army recently conducted the third and fourth successful Production Qualification Tests (PQT) of the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) rocket at White Sands Missile Range, N.M. Both series of three-round ripple-fired Guided MLRS rockets performed nominally. "Guided MLRS is a transformational system that will give our soldiers the accuracy and firepower they need. These ripple-fire tests demonstrate the ability of the Guided MLRS system to very quickly deliver a large amount of indirect fire with extreme accuracy," said Ron Abbott, vice president - Fire Support for Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "Along with our international partners, we continue to be pleased with the extremely successful production qualification test program and look forward to the next series of tests that will further prove the system's robustness."

The GPS-aided three-round ripple-fired rocket flight tests were launched from an MLRS M270 Improved Position Determining System (IPDS) launcher. The third PQT was conducted on July 17, and flew three rockets more than 35 kilometers to the target area and dispensed their submunition payloads. The fourth PQT was conducted on July 23, and flew three rockets more than 60 kilometers to the target area and dispensed their submunition payloads. The fifth test in a series of nine planned PQT flights is scheduled for early August 2002.

The Guided MLRS rocket program is an international cooperative program between the U.S., U. K., Italy, France and Germany.

The Guided MLRS rocket is an Objective Force system that incorporates a GPS-aided inertial guidance package integrated on a product-improved rocket body. Small canards on the guided rocket nose will also provide basic maneuverability and enhance the accuracy of the system. In addition to the IPDS launcher, the Guided MLRS rocket can also be launched from the M270A1 launcher and the HIMARS launcher. Guided MLRS initial operational capability is currently scheduled for CY '05.

Guided MLRS is the next major step in the evolution of the MLRS Family of Munitions, offering advanced capabilities, reduced logistics support and precision attack. The rocket will have a range of approximately 70+ kilometers.

"Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control develops, manufactures and integrates world-class air defense, fire support, strike weapon, naval munition, combat vision, anti-armor and advanced product solutions and systems for U.S. and international armed forces. Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global enterprise principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems products and services."

Craig Vanbebber, 972-603-1615
e-mail craig.vanbebber@lmco.com