Lockheed gets contract for navy missile defense system
SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Wednesday, January 12, 2000
WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Navy continues to proceed with plans to
develop a sea-based ballistic missile defense system.
The navy has awarded a $23.9 million contract to Lockheed Martin Naval
Electronics & Surveillance Systems, Moorestown, N.J. The contract stipulates
initial development of a shipboard ballistic missile defense system used to
provide regional protection against hostile missile threats worldwide.
Under the contract, Lockheed Martin will provide the navy with system
engineering and integration efforts, studies and analyses to support
development and fielding of navy ballistic missile defense capabilities,
with a focus on the navy's theater-wide system.
Lockheed Martin began the project in 1996 and has been the prime
contractor for the surface ship system portion of the navy's theater-wide
system. This has included upgrading the navy's Aegis Weapon System to add
the theater-wide system capability to U.S. Navy warships.
In a related development, first gun system was slid into position into
the eighth flyable mid-fuselage manufactured by Lockheed Martin Tactical
Aircraft Systems for the F-22 Raptor fighter-jet. The check was called a
success.
The system contains 480 rounds of 20 mm ammunition and is capable of
feeding ammunition to the gun at a rate of 100 rounds per second. To
maintain aircraft stealth, the system includes integral hydraulic features
that operate fast-acting port and purge system doors.
Airborne gun fire testing is expected to begin on the third flying F-22
in mid-2002, though flight test scheduling opportunities may permit firing
before that date, executives said.