Lockheed Martin Lands $921-Million Missile Contract

Feb. 1, 2012
Upgraded air-defense program involves multiple manufacturing sites for FY2012

Lockheed Martin earned a $921-million contract from the U.S. Army to produce components and provide other services for the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment — an upgrade to the Patriot air defense system for which Lockheed is the prime contractor. The PAC-3 Missile Segment upgrade consists of the missile, missile canisters (each one holding four PAC-3 missiles, with four canisters per launcher), a fire solution computer, an enhanced launcher electronics system, and launcher support hardware.

While there are five international customers for the PAC-3, the contract covers production of missiles and command launch systems for the U.S. Army for FY 2012, and a follow-on sale to Taiwan.

The PAC-3 Missile is a high-velocity air-defense missile that’s deployable across the range of delivery systems: tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and aircraft. Describing it as ‘hit-to-kill’ method, Lockheed calls the PAC-3 “a quantum leap ahead of any other air defense missile when it comes to the ability to protect the Warfighter in their defining moments.”

“PAC-3 Missiles, when deployed in a Patriot battery, will significantly increase the Patriot system's firepower, since 16 PAC-3s load-out on a Patriot launcher, compared with four of the legacy Patriot PAC-2 missiles,” according to the defense manufacturer.

Lockheed Martin will assign production to its manufacturing facilities in Dallas and Lufkin, Texas; Chelmsford, Mass.; and Ocala, Fla., as well as the PAC-3 All-Up Round facility in Camden, Ark. Deliveries will begin early in 2013.

"Demand remains strong from the U.S. and our global partners for the combat-proven PAC-3 Missile," stated Mike Trotsky, vice president of air and missile defense programs at Lockheed Martin's Missiles and Fire Control business. "In today's uncertain environment, Lockheed Martin remains focused on delivering this important capability to our customers on schedule and on budget."