U.S. Army orders more Lockheed rockets

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DALLAS, Jan. 31 (UPI) -- The U.S. Army has exercised a $197 million contract option with Lockheed Martin for additional production of Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System rockets.

"Our top priority is to ensure that our warfighters are equipped with the most effective, affordable and dependable weapon system available and we're proud that GMLRS meets that standard," said Scott Arnold, vice president of precision fires at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control.

GMLRS is a long-range, fast deployment weapon for precision strike beyond the reach of most conventional weapons. In combat operations, each rocket is packaged in an MLRS launch pod and is fired from the Lockheed Martin HIMARS or M270 family of launchers.

Lockheed said the option being exercised is part of the GMLRS Production Lot 7 contract awarded last year and brings that total value of rockets to $550.8 million.

Rockets to be produced under the option will be delivered to the Army and Marine Corps starting in September 2014, the company said.