Exelis producing more JASSM missile bodies

SALT LAKE CITY, Oct. 9 (UPI) -- Lockheed Martin has contracted Exelis to manufacture composite-material bodies and structures for more than 400 air-to-ground cruise missiles.

The award, for production Lot 11 and Lot 12 of the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile is a follow-on contract and carries a value of about $20 million.

"We believe this contract is a reflection of our customer's confidence in Exelis as a trusted and capable supplier," said Mike Blair, vice president and general manager of Exelis Aerostructures. "Our shared commitment to operational excellence began more than a decade ago, and we are prepared to deliver on this contract with the same product integrity our customer expects."

JASSM is a long-range precision guided weapon used by the United States and the air forces of Australia and Finland. The JASSM has a range of more than 230 miles. The missile's extended range variant can fly more than 620 miles.

Exelis said it will fabricate the missile structures using automated composite braiding and resin-transfer mold technologies.

Additional details of the contract were not disclosed.