Lockheed Martin Space Systems Awarded Study Contract for Large Target Launch Vehicle Concepts in Support of Missile Defense Testing.

Business Editors

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 27, 2002

Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, a business area of the Lockheed Martin Corp., has been awarded a four-month, $600,000 contract by the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command (USASMDC), Huntsville, Ala., to study the development of a flexible family of reliable, target launch vehicle concepts under the Missile Defense Agency's Enhanced Target Delivery System (ETDS) program.

The ETDS study is in response to the Missile Defense Agency's (MDA) need to develop and field a next-generation target system that is capable of launching larger, more massive target vehicles with heavier and more complex payload suites for future ballistic missile defense testing. The new target system must address a variety of engagement scenarios, including launching from remote, unimproved land-based sites, as well as from sea-based and air-based platforms. Other key elements to be addressed by the study are mission flexibility, decreased launch cycle time, and realistic emulation of current and projected threat systems.

Lockheed Martin Space Systems has extensive experience in launch system design, development and launch operations on such successful programs as the Multi-Service Launch System (MSLS) long-range target vehicle, Fleet Ballistic Missiles, and the Athena, Atlas and Titian launch vehicle programs.

"We are pleased to have the opportunity to provide SMDC and MDA with truly innovative target launch vehicle solutions for the U.S. military's missile defense testing requirements," said Tom Morton, vice president, strategic missile programs for Lockheed Martin Space Systems. "Our solution will leverage Lockheed Martin's strong leadership and unmatched experience in target and space launch vehicles and strategic and defensive missile systems for this very important effort."

Under the terms of the study contract, Lockheed Martin will assess the feasibility of conducting launch operations from various sea-based and airborne platforms and remote launch ground sites and deliver a set of flexible design approaches to USASMDC in support of the MDA Consolidated Targets Program. The study effort does not include the preliminary design review.

Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, headquartered in Denver, Colo., is one of the major operating units of Lockheed Martin Corp. Space Systems designs, develops, tests, manufactures and operates a variety of advanced technology systems for military, civil and commercial customers. Chief products include space launch and ground systems, remote sensing and communications satellites for commercial and government customers, advanced space observatories and interplanetary spacecraft, fleet ballistic missiles and missile defense systems.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global enterprise principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced-technology systems, products and services. The Corporation's core businesses are systems integration, space, aeronautics, and technology services. Lockheed Martin had 2001 sales of $24 billion.

For more information about Lockheed Martin Space Systems, go to Missiles & Space Operations at http://lmms.external.lmco.com/ and Astronautics Operations at http://www.ast.lmco.com/.