Lockheed Martin-developed missile defense system elements led the nation’s ballistic missile defense efforts in 2010. During 2011, Lockheed Martin [NYSE:LMT] anticipates an energetic schedule of continued fielding, testing and showcasing of its mature air and missile defense systems and solutions for the warfighter.

“At Lockheed Martin, we understand that solutions required to protect freedom on a global scale require our warfighters to see the big picture and have the systems and solutions to defend our nation and allies,” said Dennis Cavin, vice president of International Air & Missile Defense Strategic Initiatives at Lockheed Martin. “We are keenly aware of the importance of this responsibility, and are at the forefront in assuring that our customers are successful in their defining moments.”

With proven hit-to-kill technologies and demonstrated reliability, Lockheed Martin has firmly positioned the ascent, midcourse and terminal phases to support the U.S. Missile Defense Agency’s (MDA) layered Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) in 2010 and beyond. Lockheed Martin’s many operational and next-generation successes have demonstrated consistent reliability and illustrate the progress being made in support of a strong layered missile defense.

2010 Milestones for Ballistic Missile Defense System Elements:

Aegis

• Aegis BMD capability is now installed on 21 U.S. Aegis Destroyers and Cruiser, as well as four Japanese Destroyers. The additional U.S. ships are in support Phase I of the European Phased Adaptive Approach (EPAA).
• Lockheed Martin demonstrated the second generation of its Aegis BMD capability in a formal U.S. Navy test event in June and at sea tracking exercises of medium and intermediate range targets during the last quarter of 2010. This configuration, known as Aegis BMD 4.0.1, enables the U.S. Missile Defense Agency and the Navy to defeat more complex ballistic missile threats and also introduces the BMD signal processor, which improves target identification. Aegis BMD 4.0.1 capability will be transitioned to the Navy’s open architecture – a transition that will be complete with software upgrades, known as Advanced Capability Build 12, scheduled for 2012.
• In October, JS Kirishima, Japan’s fourth destroyer equipped with Lockheed Martin’s Aegis BMD system, successfully intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile target above the atmosphere during an international test event. Two U.S. Navy Aegis BMD ships, the USS Lake Erie (CG 70) and USS Russell (DDG 59) also participated in the test.

GMD

• The Lockheed Martin-Raytheon team competing for the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) Development and Sustainment Contract received the final request for proposal from the MDA in December, with a submission due date of January 28, 2011. Strategic partners Lockheed Martin and Raytheon have developed systems that have achieved more than 50 intercepts in testing and combat – more than any other team. The team’s credentials include more than 30 years of experience in missile defense development, production, testing and fielding, more than 50 years of experience in strategic weapon system operations and sustainment, and award-winning performance-based logistics expertise.
• The best-of-industry team includes all of the seven current GMD original equipment manufacturers, as well as more than a dozen other companies across the nation who bring the technical know-how, domain expertise and mission understanding needed for this important missile defense weapons system.
• The MDA has announced that it will award the contract May 31, 2011, and that the acquisition is expected to have an approximate annual value of $600 million. The contract will continue development, manufacturing, test, training, operations support and sustainment support of the GMD element of the Ballistic Missile Defense System, which protects the nation, allies and friends against limited ballistic missile attack.

PAC-3 Missile

• In September, Lockheed Martin delivered the 1,000th Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Missile to the U.S. Army in a ceremony at the company’s facility in Camden, AR.
• In May, Lockheed Martin dedicated the expansion of its state-of-the-art Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile production complex in Camden during a ribbon cutting ceremony. Lockheed Martin anticipates that the new facility will allow for continued production expansion and modest employment growth over the next several years.

PAC-3 MSE Missile

• In February, Lockheed Martin’s enhanced version of the combat-proven PAC-3 Missile, the PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE), successfully intercepted a threat representative tactical ballistic missile target at White Sands Missile Range, NM.

THAAD

• Lockheed Martin received a contract in April, with initial funding of $25.7 million, to provide support for the U.S. Army’s fielding of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) Weapon System. The award consists of a four-year basic contract with five additional one-year options. The total maximum contract value is $435 million through 2019.
• In June, Lockheed Martin and the Missile Defense Agency conducted a successful flight test of the THAAD Weapon System at the Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai, HI. This flight test was THAAD’s seventh consecutive intercept to date, and proved the system’s ability to intercept a unitary target in the low endo-atmosphere.

2010 Milestones for Multinational Systems:

MEADS

• In December, the first Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) launcher, for which LFK – Lenkflugkörpersyteme GmbH (MBDA Deutschland) bears lead responsibility, was delivered to MEADS International. Additionally, the first MEADS Battle Manager was unveiled during ceremonies at MBDA Italia facilities in Fusaro, Italy. The Battle Manager, configured on an ARIS Italian Prime Mover, will shortly be joined by other MEADS major end items at Pratica di Mare Air Force Base in Italy as part of system integration activities leading to flight tests at White Sands Missile Range, NM, in 2012.
• In September, MEADS completed an extensive series of Critical Design Review (CDR) events with a Summary CDR at MEADS International in Orlando, FL. The program team’s focus now moves to final build, integration and test activities leading to flight tests involving all system elements at White Sands Missile Range, NM, in 2012.
• In July, the MEADS battle management capability successfully demonstrated interoperability with the NATO Air Command and Control System (ACCS) during a Joint Project Optic Windmill (JPOW) test. The interface test was conducted using the Active Layer Theatre Ballistic Missile Defense Integration Test Bed being developed by NATO.

2010 Milestones for Advanced Technology and Supporting Efforts:

3DELRR:

• As proof of the radar’s maturity, during a December 2010 demonstration, Lockheed Martin unveiled a functioning system prototype for the Three-Dimensional Long-Range Radar (3DELRR) to Air Force and Marine Corps officials. The radar’s design addresses 100 percent of 3DELRR requirements, including critical extended air surveillance reach for early warning from threats, such as aircraft and ballistic missiles. The two-day capability demonstration was the second and final required under a $25 million, 20-month technology development contract awarded in May 2009.
• The 3DELRR will serve as the principal long-range, ground-based sensor for detecting, identifying, tracking and reporting aircraft and missiles for the Air Force. The system will replace the Air Force’s AN/TPS-75 air surveillance radar. The Marines also are evaluating the system as a replacement for their AN/TPS-59 ballistic missile defense radar.
• Lockheed Martin completed an initial demonstration of critical technology elements for 3DELRR in March 2010 and its preliminary radar design in October 2010.

ALTB

• The Lockheed Martin-developed Beam Control/Fire Control system for the U.S. Missile Defense Agency’s Airborne Laser Test Bed (ALTB) successfully aimed the High Energy Laser beam in an experiment February 11 in which a boosting ballistic missile target was destroyed. In the lethal demonstration, the directed energy system aboard the modified Boeing 747-400F aircraft engaged and destroyed the threat-representative ballistic missile target shortly after it was launched from a sea-based platform in the Pacific Ocean. The Beam Control/Fire Control System tracks the target, determines range to the target, compensates for atmospheric turbulence and focuses and directs the High Energy Laser beam.

Next-Generation Aegis Missile

• Lockheed Martin submitted a proposal in November to the MDA for the Next-Generation Aegis Missile concept definition and program planning contract. The missile will provide early intercept capability against intermediate- and long-range ballistic missiles as a key element of the Phased Adaptive Approach, which will provide robust defensive capabilities against regional threats on a global basis. It will be designed for integration into the Aegis Weapon System, with the Aegis BMD 5.1 and the MK 41 Vertical Launching System, both ashore and at sea.

Targets and Countermeasures

• Lockheed Martin’s Targets and Countermeasures Program successfully provided and launched five target missiles in 2010. Lockheed Martin has achieved 39 successes out of 40 target missions since 1996, a 98 percent reliability rate. This has included unitary and separating targets, spanning land, sea and air launches for testing of the ballistic missile defense system. The year also marked the successful debut of the new LV-2 Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile target.
• Lockheed Martin responded in October to a draft request for proposal for the Intercontinental-range Ballistic Missile Targets competitive procurement, for which MDA anticipates awarding a contract in late 2011.

Lockheed Martin is a world leader in systems integration and the development of air and missile defense systems and technologies, including the first operational hit-to-kill missile. It also has considerable experience in missile design and production, infrared seekers, command and control/battle management, and communications, precision pointing and tracking optics, as well as radar and signal processing. The company makes significant contributions to most major U.S. missile defense systems, and participates in several global missile defense partnerships.

Source: Lockheed Martin Press Release