TEXTRON TO MAKE DEVICES TO CONTROL COPTER ROCKETS.

Byline: Daily News

VALENCIA - Defense giant Lockheed Martin's bid to develop guided rockets for military attack helicopters includes controllers manufactured by a local company.

HR Textron would produce the control actuation system at its Valencia campus, according to the final proposal submitted Monday for the government's Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II development program.

Lockheed is competing with Raytheon and a BAE Systems/General Dynamics team to provide a new 2.75-inch guided rocket for U.S. Army Apache and Marine Corps Cobra attack helicopters to more precisely engage nonarmored targets.

The winner is expected to be announced in April.

"We progressed through a complete subassembly and assembly development to a successful guided flight in a nine-month contractor-funded pre-award development program," said Steve Barnoske, director of Tactical Missiles for Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control.

"And our ready production lines mean we can deliver an affordable product with Lockheed Martin's historical cost credibility."

Lockheed said the APKWS II is a low-cost precision alternative to the larger Hellfire missile that will destroy nonarmored targets close to civilian assets or friendly forces. Lockheed Martin plans to produce the APKWS II seeker at its plant in Ocala, Fla., with final rocket assembly at its facility in Troy, Ala.