Missile launch system gets Lockheed Martin engineering support

BALTIMORE, June 4 (UPI) -- Lockheed Martin reports it is to provide engineering design services for below-deck, naval MK 41 Vertical Launching System for missiles.

The MK 41 is capable of launching anti-air, anti-submarine, surface-to-surface and strike missiles.

The U.S. Navy contract received is a cost-plus-fixed-fee vehicle worth $10 million. If all contract options were exercised, total value would rise to $182 million.

Lockheed said the award combines purchases for the U.S. Navy and eight allied navies under the Foreign Military Sales program. Work under the contract includes integration, software development, integration of VLS into new ships, technical refresh, systems engineering and life cycle support.

For U.S. ships, the work will be performed on Ticonderoga-class cruisers and Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers.

"This award continues our legacy of reliability and performance on the VLS program," said Joe North, vice president of Littoral Ship Systems for Lockheed Martin's Mission System and Training business. "We remain proud to work with the Navy to make the MK 41 VLS the world's premier below-deck, multi-mission launching system and take the responsibility the Navy has entrusted to us very seriously."

The MK 41 is capable of launching anti-air, anti-submarine, surface-to-surface and strike missiles.

The U.S. Navy contract received is a cost-plus-fixed-fee vehicle worth $10 million. If all contract options were exercised, total value would rise to $182 million.

Lockheed said the award combines purchases for the U.S. Navy and eight allied navies under the Foreign Military Sales program. Work under the contract includes integration, software development, integration of VLS into new ships, technical refresh, systems engineering and life cycle support.

For U.S. ships, the work will be performed on Ticonderoga-class cruisers and Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers.

"This award continues our legacy of reliability and performance on the VLS program," said Joe North, vice president of Littoral Ship Systems for Lockheed Martin's Mission System and Training business. "We remain proud to work with the Navy to make the MK 41 VLS the world's premier below-deck, multi-mission launching system and take the responsibility the Navy has entrusted to us very seriously."