Lockheed Martin Receives $92 Million Contract from U.S. Navy for MK 41 Vertical Launching System
Launchers to be installed aboard Arleigh Burke-Class Aegis destroyers
Baltimore, MD, January 13th, 2004 -- The U.S. Navy today awarded Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) a $92 million contract to deliver MK 41 Vertical Launching Systems (VLS) for three destroyers.
Based on an open system approach of design and integration, the MK 41 VLS has evolved with changing customers' missions, adding capability to accommodate different types of missiles to meet different requirements. No other existing naval missile launcher is capable of launching missiles for every threat in naval warfare, including anti-air, anti-submarine, ship self-defense, land attack and missile defense. It is the only sea-based missile launcher in the world that has successfully supported a ballistic missile defense test, most recently demonstrated by the Missile Defense Agency's FM-6 Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense test in December 2003.
"Lockheed Martin continues to maximize the Navy's investment in MK 41 VLS through continuous technology upgrades, thereby ensuring its ability to adapt to new missions, such as missile defense," said Jon Wing, acting vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin Maritime Systems & Sensors Marine Systems line of business. "We must deliver trusted performance and reliability as the Navy meets the president's call for a ballistic missile defense capability."
The MK 41 VLS, currently in its seventh generation, shares little more than the same common structure with the first launcher introduced into the Navy fleet. Versions of the MK 41 VLS are in service or on order for 181 ships in 11 navies around the world.
Lockheed Martin will subcontract to United Defense of Aberdeen, SD, to produce subassemblies for the MK 41 VLS.
Tom Greer, 410-682-1140; e-mail, thomas.greer@lmco.com
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