DALLAS, March 3 (UPI) -- U.S. company Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT)'s Future Combat System MULE vehicle program has passed its System PDR.

Lockheed Martin said in a statement last week that its "Multifunction Utility/Logistics and Equipment -- MULE -- vehicle program successfully completed its System Preliminary Design Review -- PDR -- signaling a new phase in the program's development as part of the U.S. Army's Future Combat Systems -- FCS -- modernization initiative. As a result of this recent review, Lockheed Martin will now begin to transition from the concept maturation phase into detailed design work."

"The completion of the MULE PDR moves us one step closer to putting this incredible vehicle in the hands of the Soldiers," said Rick Edwards, vice president of Tactical Missiles at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "The entire team demonstrated great tenacity and an incredible systems integration mindset in reaching this key milestone."

"The review was conducted by a team from the FCS program office, the Army Training and Doctrine Command and the lead systems integrator partners Boeing and Science Applications International Corporation -- SAIC. The briefing was jointly presented by Lockheed Martin and a number of partner companies that are contributing equipment, such as radios and sensors, to the MULE," Lockheed Martin said.

"The PDR is testament to the strength and maturity of the MULE program," said Gene Holleque, director of Combat Maneuver Systems at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "In essence, it represents our customer/user community buy-in to the final design of the system. The process also allowed us to focus in on and wrap up any remaining issues that need to be resolved before the design is finalized."

"A successful Interim Design Review in autumn 2008 will mark the final break from preliminary design into the formalized drawing releases of the detail design period. The MULE Critical Design Review is scheduled for autumn 2009, after which fabrication of the MULE prototype vehicles will begin," Lockheed Martin said.

"Once again we have shown our systems integration capabilities and Lockheed Martin's passion for innovation in support of the war fighter," Edwards added.