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Lockheed Martin's LOSAT Successfully Defeats Long-Range Moving Target in Nighttime Test

More "firsts" for the highly successful U.S. Army program

DALLAS, September 22nd, 2003 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] conducted a successful Developmental Test (DT-2) of the Line-of-Sight Antitank (LOSAT) Weapon System in which a Kinetic Energy Missile (KEM) traveled approximately 4,000 meters before destroying a moving target in a recent nighttime test at White Sands Missile Range, NM. Preliminary data indicate all test objectives were achieved.

In addition to the long range and nighttime conditions, this test demonstrated additional "firsts" for the LOSAT program. New baseline software was successfully tested for the first time, and the missile was conditioned hot. The target vehicle's speed was also greater than the recent DT-1 test, in which the missile was conditioned cold.

"We are very pleased with the continued success of the LOSAT system and the KEM. With every test we are one step closer to our ultimate goal - delivering a critical capability to the warfighter," said Ron Abbott, vice president of Tactical Missiles for Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "LOSAT will complement existing shoulder-fired munitions by giving light forces extreme lethality, high rates of fire and long-range capability against heavily armored threats."

This test was the second in a series of 18 Developmental Tests that are under the control of the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation community. In August, LOSAT obliterated a moving tank at short range, and in late July, the weapon system destroyed a reinforced urban structure, proving that it can be effective against a variety of targets. A Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) decision is expected in fiscal year 2004.

The LOSAT Weapon System provides a high volume of extremely lethal and accurate missile fire that is effective against heavy armor systems at ranges exceeding tanks' main gun ranges. LOSAT consists of kinetic energy missiles and a second-generation FLIR/video acquisition sensor mounted on a highly mobile, HMMWV chassis. The LOSAT Weapon System will help remedy the forced-entry/early-entry force lethality shortfall against heavy armor because it can deploy with both forces.

The key advantages of the LOSAT system are the tremendous overmatch in lethality of the KEM, which defeats all predicted future armored combat vehicles, and its deployability. The LOSAT Weapon System also provides increased survivability for the operator and countermeasure effectiveness.

It operates to the maximum range of direct-fire combat engagements and provides dramatically increased rates of fire and enhanced performance under day and night, adverse weather and obscured battlefield conditions. The system can be transported by C-130H low velocity airdrop or by sling load with the UH-60L.

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