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LOCKHEED MARTIN AWARDED $79 MILLION CONTRACT FOR JOINT AIR-TO-SURFACE STANDOFF MISSILE- EXTENDED RANGE
ORLANDO, FL, February 23, 2004 – Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] was awarded a $79 million development contract from the U.S. Air Force to continue development of an extended-range (ER) version of the deployed Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM).
The contract initiates Phase II development of JASSM-ER, which includes design and verification testing and culminates with flight testing. The flight test plan, which starts in mid-2006, includes five development and operational tests. The JASSM program will begin production of extended range missiles in 2008.
The JASSM-ER will have a range significantly greater than 500 nautical miles by using a new engine and increased fuel load. Both of these changes occur without affecting the missile’s outer mold line. These low-risk modifications dramatically reduce cost and time of missile development.
"This new extended range JASSM will be initially employed on the B-1 bomber," said Maj. Stephen Davis, program manager, Long Range Attack Joint Systems Program Office at Eglin Air Force Base, FL. "Providing the B-1 with a significant standoff capability will enhance that aircraft’s ability to play a vital role in the nation’s arsenal."
The extended range missile will be produced at Lockheed Martin’s manufacturing facility in Troy, AL, utilizing personnel who currently manufacture the baseline missile.
"We are proud to be able to provide this enhanced capability JASSM to the Air Force," said Randy Bigum, vice president of Strike Weapons at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "With only a few modifications to the baseline missile, we allow the Air Force to strike high value targets from more than twice the standoff range of the baseline JASSM. This provides a whole new set of employment options for our nation’s warfighters."
The JASSM program is currently in Low Rate Initial Production of Lots 1, 2, and 3, which began in late 2001, for the U.S. Air Force. A Milestone III Full Rate Production decision is planned for early 2004.
A 2,000-pound class weapon with a dual-mode penetrator and blast fragmentation warhead, JASSM cruises autonomously in adverse weather, day or night, using a state-of-the-art infrared seeker in addition to the enhanced digital anti-jam Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver to find a specific aimpoint on the target. Its stealthy airframe makes it extremely difficult for air defense systems to engage. The missile is planned for deployment on the B-1 aircraft.
Headquartered in Bethesda, MD, Lockheed Martin employs about 130,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and services.
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For information on Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, visit:
www.missilesandfirecontrol.com
For additional information on Lockheed Martin Corporation, visit:
www.lockheedmartin.com
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