ARCHBALD, PA, July 6th, 2010 — Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] celebrated a production milestone recently with the delivery of the 100,000^th Paveway II Enhanced Laser Guided Training Round (ELGTR) to the U.S. Navy. Lockheed Martin has produced ELGTRs for the U.S. Navy and international customers since 1992. Current production is part of a five year, $114 million contract awarded in April 2005.

The ELGTR is recognized worldwide as the only live-fire training solution for Warfighters, and is compatible with F/A-18, AV-8B, F-16 and multiple international aircraft. ELGTR provides cost-effective training for all Paveway II laser guided weapons, maintaining aircrew proficiency without depleting the Paveway II Laser Guided Bomb (LGB) tactical inventory.

“For two decades, the U.S. Navy/Lockheed Martin team has fully embraced the concept of continuous product improvement, providing the highest fidelity, cost effective live-drop trainer to the Warfighter,” said Joe Serra, senior manager for Precision Guided Systems at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “Upon reaching this milestone, ELGTR users have realized a combined savings in excess of $1.3 billion when compared to training with Paveway II tactical weapons.”

The ELGTR emulates the release envelope, flight characteristics and accuracy of Paveway II laser guided weapons. Live-fire training permits aircrews to practice delivery tactics in a real-mission environment and experience actual weapon characteristics within today’s range limitations.

“The ELGTR is a reliable and cost-effective tactical employment tool that enables our aircrews to efficiently train for and maintain combat readiness,” said Capt. Carl Chebi, U.S. Navy Precision Strike Weapons program manager.

In addition to the Paveway II ELGTR, Lockheed Martin’s 350,000-square foot production facility, located in Northeastern Pennsylvania, designs and manufactures Paveway II LGB kits, Paveway II Dual Mode Laser Guided Bomb kits, specialized instrumentation and control systems, and provides manufacturing services, such as state-of-the-art metal crafting and electro-mechanical assemblies.

Source and picture: Lockheed Martin