Lockheed Martin Selects Camden, Arkansas, Operation as Final Assembly Site For PAC-3 Missile System
DALLAS, TX, June 4th, 2001 -- Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, prime contractor on the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Missile segment upgrade to the Patriot Air Defense System, has selected its production facility in Camden, Ark., as the final assembly site for the PAC-3 Missile. Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control chose its Camden Operations for PAC-3 Missile production due to its outstanding performance building quality products, such as Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) launchers and rockets, as well as its attention to efficient manufacturing processes and cost-reduction initiatives. Additionally, a recently announced partnership between Lockheed Martin and the State of Arkansas will allow the company to expand the facility by adding 40,000 square feet of production floor space, as well as providing for new employment for up to 200 people over the next few years.
"The PAC-3 Missile is without question the world's best theater air defense missile, and Camden will be its home," said Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control President James (Jim) F. Berry. "Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control is planning an initial $5 million investment in the operation to expand this facility. Camden was the obvious choice for the PAC-3 Missile production due to its outstanding track record of on-time, on-budget deliveries on the MLRS program."
"As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, it is a tremendous pleasure for me to help announce the decision to produce the PAC-3 Missile in Camden," said Arkansas Senator Tim Hutchinson. "This is a great day for the people in South Arkansas, and Camden in particular. I know that the Camden employees of Lockheed Martin are well known for their production prowess, and I'm absolutely positive that they will come through with flying colors on this very important Defense Department program. The PAC-3 Missile is vitally important to our nation's defense, and its perfect flight test record is indicative of the incredible job that's being done on the program."
"I am excited that the PAC-3 Missile will be produced in such an outstanding production facility as the Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control plant in Camden, Arkansas," said Colonel Tom Newberry, Lower Tier Project Manager for the U.S. Army. "The U.S. Army fully supports our contractor, Lockheed Martin, in the selection of Camden for the PAC-3 Missile production program."
"The PAC-3 Missile is the only interceptor in the world that can defend against the entire threat spectrum, including tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and aircraft," Berry added. "Taking into account the expected U.S. and foreign production on PAC-3, combined with Camden's cost-consciousness, we fully expect to drive the per-unit cost on the PAC-3 Missile to at or below $2 million."
The Camden Operations of Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control is a world-class, highly automated facility that produces MLRS launchers and rockets for the U.S. Army, Army National Guard and allied armies. The facility, located in the Highland Industrial Park in Camden, Ark., has a work force of more than 430. Camden Operations has produced more than 600,000 rockets and over 1,200 MLRS launchers since production began at the site in the early 1980s. Jerry Brewer is plant manager of Lockheed Martin's Camden Operations.
Government management of the PAC-3 Missile program is provided by the Lower Tier Project Office, U.S. Army PEO Air and Missile Defense, Huntsville, Ala., and the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization (BMDO), Washington, D.C.
Located in Dallas, Tex.; Orlando, Fla.; and Sunnyvale, Calif., Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control develops, manufactures and supports advanced combat, missile, rocket and space systems. The company is organized in seven program/mission areas: Strike Weapons, Air Defense, Anti-Armor, Naval Munitions, Fire Control and Sensors, Fire Support and Product Development.
Craig Vanbebber, 972-603-1615
e-mail craig.vanbebber@lmco.com
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