DALLAS, May 19 (UPI) -- Lockheed Martin in Texas has received a $45.3 million contract to upgrade 22 Finnish Army M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System launchers.
The upgrade, which incorporates the Universal Fire Control System and other enhancements, will enable the launchers to fire precision GPS-guided munitions for the first time, Lockheed Martin said.
"Finland has used MLRS products for four years, and the M270 launcher upgrade gives the Finnish army a modernized fire control system and new artillery options with GPS-enabled precision munitions," said Scott Arnold, vice president for Precision Fires at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control.
"This important upgrade will allow Finland to use the full range of MLRS precision munitions, including GMLRS Unitary and Army Tactical Missile System Unitary."
Lockheed said the agreement takes advantage of current full-rate component production for U.S. MLRS contracts.
The contract is the third international award for M270 launcher upgrades.
"We want to make precision fires an affordable capability for our customers. We've accomplished that for Finland through a combined production run and using new capability upgrades to extend launcher life," Arnold said.
The launcher upgrade extends strike distance with the Universal Fire Control System, which is also common on new High Mobility Artillery Rocket System models. It also provides GPS-guided precision fires capability for the first time, and enables M270 launchers to launch Finnish-furnished practice rockets, exemplifying the ease of integrating new products into the system.
The contract also includes training and component support.
