Lockheed Martin Vought Systems Receives First Production Contract For Extended-Range Army Tactical Missile System

Business Wire, July 16, 1996

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 16, 1996--Lockheed Martin Vought Systems has received a $45 million contract from the U.S. Army for the first production order of the extended-range (Block IA) Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS).

The contract, awarded by the U.S. Army Missile Command (MICOM), calls for the production of 70 Block IA ATACMS missiles, with delivery of the missiles expected to be completed by April 1998.

Each Block IA missile has a range exceeding 186 miles versus 102 miles for the original ATACMS missile. The increase in range is accomplished by reducing the payload of submunitions. In addition, a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver will be added to the missile to further improve accuracy. Although the payload is reduced, the improved accuracy of the Block IA missile will maintain effectiveness against high-priority targets, such as mobile missile launchers and radar installations at depth.

ATACMS was the first tactical surface-to-surface missile ever fired in combat by the U.S. Army, when it was deployed in Operation Desert Storm. Production of the ATACMS was accelerated so that the missile could be used against high-priority targets. ATACMS is fired from the Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) M270 launcher, which is also manufactured by Lockheed Martin Vought Systems.

Lockheed Martin Vought Systems manufactures missile, rocket and space systems.

Lockheed Martin, headquartered in Bethesda, Md, is a highly diversified advanced technology company with annualized sales of approximately $30 billion. It has more than 190,000 employees worldwide.

CONTACT: Craig Vanbebber

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