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Lockheed Martin's ATACMS Missile With Penetrator Warhead Successful in Final Flight Test

DALLAS, TX, August 15th, 2005 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] and Sandia National Laboratories successfully conducted another flight test of a Tactical Missile System - Penetrator (TACMS-P) recently at White Sands Missile Range, NM.

The TACMS-P flew 136 kilometers and impacted the hard target. The first flight, conducted on March 11, 2004, was also successful. Lockheed Martin is partnered with Sandia National Laboratories to design and test this latest variant of the combat-proven Army TACMS family of munitions.

Test objectives included integration and separation of an Earth Penetrating Warhead (EPW) from a modified Army TACMS missile. The TACMS-P was fired from a Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) M270A1 launcher at ambient conditions, and flew to a pre-determined altitude and speed to separate the Sandia-built EPW from the Lockheed Martin booster. After separation, the booster locked fins and continued on a ballistic path while the EPW guided to a fixed, hard target.

“The TACMS Penetrator variant of the combat-proven family of ATACMS missiles provides combatant commanders with the capacility to hold hard targets at risk,” said Scott Arnold, Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control’s director – ATACMS program. “This program has successfully demonstrated a new capability against hard targets, and we will deliver six residual prototype missiles to the government next year,” he added.

The test was conducted under an Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) funded, joint U.S. Army/U.S. Navy Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration (ACTD) program that began in Fiscal Year 2001. The overall program demonstrated integration of the Army TACMS booster with a Navy Strategic Systems Program (SSP) reentry vehicle built by Sandia National Laboratories.

The ATACMS family of munitions includes the ATACMS Block IA and the Block IA Unitary. The ATACMS Block IA Unitary was successfully utilized for the first time in battle during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Sandia National Laboratories is a government owned, contractor operated facility that is managed by Lockheed Martin for the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration. Sandia National Laboratories is based in Albuquerque, NM and develops science-based technologies to solve national and global threats to peace and freedom.

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