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Lockheed Martin to Provide Long-Range Attack Projectile for U.S. Navy Advanced Gun System

ORLANDO, FL, April 2nd, 2003 -- Lockheed Martin has been selected to provide the Long-Range Land Attack Projectile (LRLAP) for the Advanced Gun System (AGS) on board U. S. Navy DD(X) next-generation destroyers. The approximately $40 million Engineering Development Model (EDM) contract, awarded by United Defense L.P. (UDLP), calls for Lockheed Martin to develop a tactical baseline design for a guided projectile on the gun weapon system that will form the main battery of the U.S. Navy's DD(X) destroyer.

The EDM contract is expected to run through September 2005 and includes 15 rounds to conduct flight tests and support the AGS Critical Design Review. This award decision results from a competition between Lockheed Martin and Raytheon.

During the demonstration phase, Lockheed Martin participated on the team led by Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), which was primarily responsible for the guidance and control hardware and software integration. Custom Analytical Engineering Services (CAES) was responsible for the propulsion, tail kit assembly and most of the aerodynamic structure of the projectile. Other members of the SAIC team were Honeywell, Rockwell Collins, Ball Aerospace, Goodrich Aerospace (formerly TRW), Alliant Techsystems (ATK), and The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory.

"These partners were selected to participate on the Lockheed Martin team because they represent the 'Best of the Best' in each of their areas of expertise and, collectively, will deliver the best capability to the Navy," said Joe Antoniotti, Guided Projectiles director at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "They will all provide leading-edge technology as the program matures. They will also play significant parts in other guided projectile programs in which Lockheed Martin is participating. Their continuing support and technical participation ensures maximum commonality."

Antoniotti also acknowledged that significant support was provided by UDLP in conducting the Demo Phase LRLAP tests using its new 155mm 62 caliber AGS barrel. "We expect that the partnership with UDLP will be significant to both companies and the U.S. Navy for many years to come," he said.

The contract award marks Lockheed Martin's return to the guided projectile market. From 1982 through 1989, Lockheed Martin produced nearly 28,000 155mm Copperhead rounds for the U.S. Army.

Lockheed Martin also developed a 5-inch guided projectile for the U.S. Navy, Deadeye, producing 200 rounds that passed technical and operational evaluations before the program succumbed to funding cuts. Lockheed Martin remains the only company that has developed and fielded a cannon-launched guided weapon that has been placed in the U.S. arsenal.

Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control develops, manufactures, and integrates air defense, fire support, strike, anti-armor, and naval munitions, as well as combat vision sensors and advanced product solutions/systems for U.S. and international armed forces.

Nettie Johnson, 407-356-5351
e-mail nettie.r.johnson@lmco.com