U.S. Army grants Lockheed Martin $828 million contract to produce precision-strike rockets, equipment
NewsMay 08, 2018
DALLAS. Lockheed Martin will proceed on Lot 13 production of Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) rockets and associated equipment under the terms of an $828 million (not-to-exceed) contract from the U.S. Army.
The recent contract calls for the production and delivery of GMLRS Alternative Warhead (AW) rockets, GMLRS Unitary rockets, Reduced-Range Practice Rockets (RRPRs), and integrated logistics support for the U.S. Army, together with GMLRS rounds for a number of international customers.
Lockheed Martin corporate details show that GMLRS is an all-weather rocket -- designed for fast deployment -- that delivers precision strikes that are not possible with most conventional weapons. The GMLRS AW was the first munition developed to target areas without leaving unexploded ordnance, a factor that complies with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) policy on cluster munitions. Moreover, say Lockheed Martin officials, GMLRS Unitary rockets exceed the required combat reliability rate and are known to be more affordable, while the RRPR allows users to train with realistic, full-motored rockets that have a limited flight range, which makes them better for smaller testing ranges. During combat use, each GMLRS rocket is packaged in a MLRS launch pod and is fired from the Lockheed Martin HIMARS or M270 family of launchers.
Work under the recent Army contract will be done at Lockheed Martin's Dallas facility and at the company's Precision Fires Center of Excellence in Camden, Arkansas.
