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Lockheed Martin's ATACMS Block II Missile Containing TACMS 2000-Unique Hardware Performs Flawlessly During First Test at White Sands Missile Range

TACMS 2000 Brings Substantial Cost Savings To All ATACMS Variants

DALLAS, TX, August 8th, 2002 -- Lockheed Martin's Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) Block II Missile containing TACMS 2000 (T2K) hardware performed flawlessly in the first T2K-configured test at White Sands Missile Range, N.M., recently. The ATACMS missile demonstrated that the T2K hardware could perform under flight environments. During the Defense Acquisition Board decision for Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) of the ATACMS Block II missile, the Army was directed to show cost savings for the life of the system. T2K is the cost savings program for the missile, funded by Lockheed Martin, its subcontractors and the Precision Fires Rockets And Missile System (PFRMS) Program Office in Huntsville, Ala.

"The T2K program is expected to generate savings of approximately $80,000 to $100,000 per missile, which will also apply to all other variants of ATACMS," said Ron Abbott, vice president - Fire Support for Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "That's a significant savings for our customer. The ATACMS production program has been under budget and ahead of schedule for more than a decade. And the T2K program will further enhance the affordability of this powerful deep attack system."

The ATACMS Block II missile has a range of more than 80 miles (128 km). The missile is being developed under a manufacturing development contract for the U.S. Army ATACMS-BAT Project Office. The contract was originally awarded to Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control in July 1995. An LRIP contract was awarded in June 1999.

"ATACMS is a missile capable of significantly influencing a mission," Abbott added. "Day or night, good weather or bad - ATACMS can deliver a payload with extreme precision in short order. The ATACMS family offers responsiveness and strategic flexibility to the battlefield commander."

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