Lockheed Martin Wins $197M GMLRS Rocket Production Contract From U.S. Army

Lockheed Martin was awarded a $197 million contract for the U.S. Army’s Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System or GMLRS Unitary rocket production, it was announced earlier today.

      The current contract is a part of the GMLRS Production Lot 7 contract, awarded to Lockheed in July 2012, which now totals $550.8 million. The move dispenses the need for a separate 2013 production contract, ensuring that subsequent rocket systems will cost less.

      Scott Arnold, VP, Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, said, "The GMLRS warfighters are equipped with the most effective, affordable and dependable weapon system that are currently available, meeting exceptional technical standards”.

      GMLRS is an all-weather, long-range rocket designed for fast deployment, delivering precision strike capabilities beyond conventional weapons reach. GMLRS Unitary rockets are known to exceed the required combat reliability rate and are also very affordable. Each rocket is packaged in a MLRS launch pod during combat operations, and fired from Lockheed’s HIMARS or M270 family of launchers.

      Delivery of the new rocket allotments to the U.S. Army and Marine Corps will begin in September 2014 and work will be performed at the Lockheed Martin facilities in Camden, Ark., and Dallas.